Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
A disgraced Illinois insurance executive pleaded guilty Tuesday, in Los Angeles, California, to secretly shooting nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews, who repeatedly called her stalker a “sexual predator” and said she hopes he “never sees the light of day,” says The Associated Press in a recent USA Today article.Michael David Barrett pleaded guilty to Interstate Stalking after Andrews urged the judge to give him a harsh sentence and not allow him out on bail.
“His actions have had a devastating impact on me and family,” said Andrews, who attended the hearing with her father and attorney.
She said she is constantly reminded that Barrett’s videos appeared online and subjected her to cruel taunts from sports fans while working as a sideline reporter.
“I don’t know him,” she said. “I haven’t met him. I hope he never sees the light of day.”
U.S. District Judge Manuel Real allowed Barrett to remain free pending sentencing on Feb. 22.
According to a plea deal filed last week, Federal prosecutors and Barrett agreed to a 27-month prison sentence. But the judge will decide how long he serves and how much restitution he will have to pay Andrews.
Barrett has admitted renting hotel rooms next to Andrews three (3) times and shooting two (2) videos of her while she was naked. He was accused of posting the videos online and trying to sell them to the Los Angeles-based celebrity gossip site TMZ this year.
Andrews was poised as she addressed the court. She looked down at times as Real read the allegations against Barrett, which included details of him traveling to follow Andrews. She shook her head when Real read about Barrett buying information about Andrews online, and dabbed tears after Barrett entered his guilty plea.
Barrett stood at a podium for the nearly ten (10) minutes it took to read the allegations against him. He repeatedly answered, “Yes, your Honor” when Real asked him to waive his rights and confirm the truthfulness of the allegations.
Federal Prosecutors in Los Angeles have agreed not to pursue further charges against Barrett. However, he could face criminal action in other states stemming from other videos he allegedly shot of unsuspecting nude women through peepholes.
The Tampa Bay Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog is published by Florida criminal defense attorney Nicholas J. Dorsten, Esq. of the Clearwater-based Blake & Dorsten, P.A..
The Blake & Dorsten, P.A. handles all State and Federal criminal matters throughout the Tampa Bay area (as well as select cases throughout the State of Florida).
If your case requires and aggressive and experienced criminal defense, the Blake & Dorsten, P.A. will be there for you.
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To speak directly with criminal defense attorney Nicholas J. Dorsten, Esq., please contact the Blake & Dorsten, P.A. at 727.286.6141. You can also email us at: info@blakedorstenlaw.com