Erin Andrews' Alleged Stalker Michael Barrett Set To Plead Guilty In Nude Peephole Video Case
Photo: Erin Andrews.
PICTURES: Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video
Andrews was unknowingly taped in peephole videos showing her naked in hotel rooms as she traveled across the country to cover sporting events for the ESPN.
Barrett is suspected of renting hotel rooms adjacent to Andrews in three cities last year.
Photo: Michael D. Barrett leaves Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago Oct. 5, 2009.
PICTURES: Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video
He allegedly used a hacksaw to alter the peepholes of the doors between rooms and shot videos of Andrews in two of the locations.
Barrett is accused of uploading the videos to the Internet and trying to sell them to the Los Angeles-based celebrity gossip site TMZ this year. Several TV networks and newspapers aired or published images of Andrews taken from the videos.
Photo: Erin Andrews interviews Jim Tressel before Ohio State versus Michigan State basketball game Jan. 27, 2007.
PICTURES: Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video
"Mr. Barrett accepts full responsibility for his conduct," said Barrett's attorney David Willingham. "He apologizes to Ms. Andrews, and expresses his deep regret for his conduct that caused her so much pain. It is his sincere hope that these events can now become an opportunity to make positive changes in his life."
Photo: Erin Andrews with Demi Moore and Michael Phelps at 2009 ESPY Awards.
PICTURES: Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video
Barrett could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. But as long as he accepts his responsibility for his actions, shows remorse and stays out of trouble, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 27 months in prison, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Wesley Hsu.
Photo: Erin Andrews at an ESPN party in New York April 24, 2009.
PICTURES: Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video
Barrett will have to pay full restitution to Andrews, according to the terms of the plea agreement, but the amount is unclear. He also would be subject to a three-year protective order that would bar him from contacting or coming within 100 yards of Andrews and her family.
Attorney Marshall Grossman, who represents Andrews, told the AP that his client and her father will attend Tuesday's hearing and may ask the judge to impose a harsher sentence.
"We are pleased that the government has been able to obtain a guilty plea from Mr. Barrett," Grossman said. "We are now reviewing the agreement reached between Mr. Barrett and prosecutors, and Erin reserves the right to address the court and urge a greater penalty."
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.
Hsu said dozens of videos were later posted on the Internet, including one of a naked woman, entitled "Hot Blonde Out of Shower," that FBI agents sought to have Yahoo Inc. turn over after serving a search warrant at the tech giant's Northern California offices last week.
The video was posted in June to Flickr.com by a user believed to be Barrett. The video, which appeared to be taken through a hotel room peephole, was viewed nearly 3,000 times before it was taken down. Flickr is owned by Yahoo.
Federal agents also wanted additional information pertaining to Andrews from Google Inc. Hsu wouldn't say whether the items have been given to authorities yet. Both Yahoo and Google have declined comment.
MEDIA
PICTURES: Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video
MORE ON CRIMESIDER
November 24, 2009 - Erin Andrews Peephole Video: Alleged Hotel Stalker Michael Barrett Says He Has Regrets, Not Guilt
November 19, 2009 - Erin Andrews Nude Peephole Videos: There's More, Lots More, Say Court Docs
October 8, 2009 - Erin Andrews Alleged Naked Peephole Stalker Michael David Barrett Sure Was a Swell Guy
October 7, 2009 - Erin Andrews Nude Peephole Video Case Shows "Peepholes" in Hotel Security
October 6, 2009 - "Peeping Michael" Who Uploaded Erin Andrews Nude Video Has More Videos, Say Prosecutors
October 6, 2009 - Erin Andrews' Alleged Pervert Makes Bail, Loses Job
October 5, 2009 - Erin Andrews Peephole Video: "Stalker" Charged, Say Cops
September 12, 2009 - Erin Andrews Peeping Tom Video Helps Land Her On Oprah
July 30, 2009 - Erin Andrews Angry 911 Call - "I'm Being Treated Like (Bleeping) Britney Spears"
July 28, 2009 - Danica Patrick Sounds Off on Erin Andrews Naked Video Controversy
July 27, 2009 - New Battle Over Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video
July 23, 2009 - Photos: The Real Erin Andrews
July 22, 2009 - Ciolino Speaks: Is Media to Blame for Erin Andrews Peephole Scandal?
July 22, 2009 - Erin Andrews Strikes Back! Posters of Naked Peephole Video "Act at their Peril"
July 21, 2009 - You're Busted! Watching Erin Andrew's Naked Video is a Crime
July 20, 2009 - Hackers Use Naked Video of ESPN Star Erin Andrews to Attack Your PC