Joseph Strange Pleads Guilty in Eminem Music Theft Case

By Elena Vasquez

Joseph Strange, 48, pleaded guilty to criminal infringement of copyright over unreleased Eminem music, the U.S. Department of Justice said. The former sound engineer faces up to five years in prison.

What does the guilty plea cover?

According to the original criminal complaint, Strange sold Eminem’s music to individuals who put more than 25 songs online in January 2025. March 2025 charges covered copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods.

“Joseph Strange abused a position of trust to unlawfully copy and sell unreleased music belonging to Eminem, profiting from works that were not yet authorized for public distribution,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division in a statement.

“His conduct undermined both legal and artistic rights. The Criminal Division remains committed to protecting intellectual property, holding accountable those who seek to profit from theft of creative content, and working with our law enforcement partners to deter and disrupt these crimes.”

The plea settles guilt, but not the prison term.

How did the unreleased songs reach the public?

The original criminal complaint said Strange worked as Eminem’s sound engineer from 2007 to 2021. He worked at a recording studio in Ferndale, Michigan, and had access to the music that later leaked.

Several studio employees contacted the FBI after they found unreleased music on the web in January 2025. Strange’s 14-year tenure gave him direct access to the unreleased songs, according to the complaint.

The FBI account places the breach inside the studio where Strange had worked for 14 years.

What did investigators find inside Strange’s home?

The FBI identified numerous people who purchased the music, including a buyer identified by the name Doja Rat. He said he paid Strange $50,000 for songs. Doja Rat said Strange claimed possession of over 300 songs and handwritten lyric sheets.

FBI agents searched Strange’s residence and seized hard drives containing copies of Eminem’s unreleased music. The seizure produced copied tracks; the buyer’s account described a collection of more than 300 songs.

A $50,000 purchase helped investigators connect Strange to copied hard drives and a claimed 300-plus-song collection.

How far did the leak travel?

Data provided by streaming providers showed that, by November 2025, people had accessed the infringing songs more than eight million times. The files carried an estimated value of at least $750,000.

At minimum, the $750,000 file estimate was 15 times the reported $50,000 payment for songs. The figures describe different measures, but they establish the scale of the distribution.

“Our republic is built on the right to property,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan.

“We will protect that right by punishing criminals who steal the physical or intellectual property of Americans.”

“Detroit has always been a city where creativity thrives, and no one has the right to steal or profit from another artist’s work without their permission,” said Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan of the FBI Detroit Field Office.

“Today’s guilty plea reinforces a simple principle: accountability follows those who compromise the integrity of another person’s creative labor.”

“I want to commend the outstanding work of our FBI Oakland County Resident Agency and the entire investigative team, whose persistence and professionalism drove this case forward.”

“We also appreciate the cooperation of Mathers Music Studio throughout the investigation.”

“Protecting intellectual property means protecting the time, talent, and livelihoods behind it, and we will continue to treat these violations with the seriousness they deserve.”

The access count and file estimate show a breach extending far beyond one studio.

What happens next?

The DOJ said Strange will be sentenced on January 27, 2027. A representative for Eminem did not immediately return Variety’s request for comment.

The next fixed point is January 27, 2027, when the court will set Strange’s final prison term within the five-year maximum.