Arrest in Erin Andrews Naked Video Case

FBI Says Chicago-Area Man Recorded Surreptitious Videos of ESPN Reporter Through Modified Hotel Room Peepholes

(AP)  Last Updated 2:26 p.m. ET

A man accused of taping surreptitious nude videos of cable television sports reporter Erin Andrews while she was alone in hotel rooms appeared in federal court Saturday and was ordered returned to California.

Michael David Barrett made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Arlander Keys, who ordered him returned to Los Angeles, where charges against him were filed. Keys set another hearing for Monday to determine if Barrett will be freed on bond to return or must go in custody.

Barrett, 48, was arrested Friday night at O'Hare International Airport as he arrived on a flight from Buffalo, New York, the FBI said. He faces federal charges of interstate stalking for taking the videos, trying to sell them to celebrity Web site TMZ and posting the videos online, the FBI said.

Defense attorney Rick Beuke told reporters after court that he had known Barrett for about 10 years and never known him to be in trouble.

"I don't think he's even had a traffic ticket," Beuke said. "He's as regular a guy as you'll ever meet - a great friend. I must have calls from 30 people wanting to know what they could do to help."

Beuke said he did not discuss the particulars of the charge when he met briefly with Barrett on Saturday morning in court. He said he would study the complaint and try to visit Barrett at the government's Metropolitan Correctional Center on Sunday.

Asked how Barrett had gotten interested in Andrews if the allegations are true, or how he managed to get adjacent hotel rooms, Beuke said, "I assume it's not true. But we'll know more on Monday."

Chicago FBI spokesman Ross Rice said he did not know how Barrett allegedly became interested in Andrews. Asked how the suspect had managed to get rooms next to hers, if he did, Rice said Barrett asked. As for why the hotels would give him those rooms, he said the hotels would have to address that.

Andrews, 31, has covered hockey, college football, college basketball and Major League Baseball for the cable TV sports network ESPN since 2004, often as a sideline reporter during games. A former dance team member at the University of Florida, she was named "sexiest sportscaster" by Playboy magazine in both 2008 and 2009.

"This is clearly welcome news," ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said of the arrest. "Our thoughts and support continue to be with Erin, who has demonstrated tremendous strength and determination."

Photos: Andrews' Life and Career

She was scheduled to work the Auburn-Tennessee game Saturday night in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Several TV networks and newspapers had aired brief clips or printed screen grabs from the videos of Andrews in July.

She thanked FBI agents and federal prosecutors for their work and said she hoped the case will eventually help others.

"For my part, I will make every effort to strengthen the laws on a state and federal level to better protect victims of criminal stalking," Andrews said in a statement early Saturday.

The federal complaint said Andrews felt ashamed and embarrassed and has had trouble sleeping and breathing because of the videos. She has also been worried that more secretly taped footage will surface, the complaint said.

Andrews' attorney, Marshall Grossman said by telephone Friday night that the videos appeared to have been taped by a serial stalker who followed Andrews from city to city.

"He wasn't an accidental tourist," he said. "He had her in his sights."

FBI agents said seven of the eight videos posted online were taken through a modified door peephole while Andrews was alone and undressed in hotel rooms in Nashville in September 2008.

FBI agents said they believe Barrett called many hotels to find out where Andrews was staying and requested a hotel room next to hers. Investigators said the eighth video was likely taken at another hotel, which Andrews couldn't identify.

Investigators said the eighth video was likely taken at another hotel, which Andrews couldn't identify.

Barrett tried to sell the videos to TMZ, but an employee there informed Andrews' attorneys, according to the complaint.

FBI agents matched information in the e-mail to Barrett, and also examined telephone records and credit card charges from Barrett's Nashville hotel stay. Agents also concluded that the videos of Andrews were likely recorded from a cell phone camera.

Barrett sought to place Andrews under surveillance to harass and intimidate her, and to cause substantial emotional distress, the federal complaint said. He faces up to five years in federal prison if convicted.

Grossman said he called Andrews Friday night with news of the arrest. She was greatly relieved, he said.

"I think she's probably sleeping more soundly tonight than she has since these videos surfaced," Grossman said.

Messages left at a phone listing for a Michael D. Barrett in Westmont, Illinois, weren't immediately returned. Barrett's father, Frank Barrett, 78, of Milwaukie, Oregon, a suburb of Portland, said he hadn't yet been able to speak to his son but said the arrest came as a shock and the situation "does not match the Mike I know."

The charges were filed in Los Angeles, where TMZ is based and where Andrews first became aware of the videos. She is identified in the federal complaint as E.A.

Grossman has said Andrews plans to file civil lawsuits against the person who shot the video footage and anyone who publishes the material. He said in a statement Saturday morning that Andrews has worked side by side with law enforcement and a private investigative firm to reconstruct events.

"Erin deserves significant credit for the progress made in solving this case," Grossman said.

Andrews, in an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" last month, said she thought her career was over once the nude footage of her began circulating on the Internet.

"I kept screaming: 'I'm done. My career is over. I'm done. Get it off. Get it off the Internet."'

Andrews returned to the air Sept. 3 as the sideline reporter for ESPN's broadcast of South Carolina at North Carolina State. She is scheduled to work the Auburn-Tennessee game Saturday night in Knoxville, Tenn.

[celebgossip]

Don't forget the added spectacular effort provided by Ninjadude.com detective blog ninja's, helping crack this thing!! Way to go FBI and hope to see Erin recovering from this horrible event soon from here...

Just a couple reminders, more in the archives @ homepage of ninjadude::


http://www.ninjadude.com/index.php/erin-andrews-nude-videos-update

www.ninjadude.com/images/index.php/Erin-Andrews/goblazers1-account-pic.jpg?action=big&size=original

[goffredo29]

Just out of curiousity...if ESPN and the other sports shows are going to go to the trouble of hiring women to report from the sidelines at football games and at NASCAR events, why don't they show a real sense of diversity and hire reporters for the same purpose who are blind, deaf or disabled? Or, is diversity not their real intent in the first place? Then maybe they'll catch somebody secretly taping the reporter with their sunglasses off, or something like that.

[sbelknap01]

I'm sorry, did you just say that being female is the same as being disabled? I think that you did. Bite me.

[gonesouthern]

Barrett is a pervert with way to many legal rights.
People who make a living stealing compromising photos of anyone by sneaking around in back yards, hanging from trees or taking photos through peep holes are perverts and should get old time Texas Justice.
As for "comes with the job" remarks about famous or near famous people, Not So I say. If your in the news as it is called you have the expectation of being interviewed,talked about or even having your picture/video taken in Public for editorial backup to a story.
That is where it should end !!!
In today's world of instant and probing news we have created a whole new class of slime procurers ie. "the paparazzi".
In the small minds of these trolls, All laws are null and void for the sake of the "$$ SHOT". They will go in any place any time any where in packs like wolves breaking every law known to man just to get "the money shot". They will hound,stalk,commit break & enter crimes and Yes at times put your life and your familys lives in danger,in general do what ever it takes at any cost just to invade a persons privacy for "that provocative shot".
We as a society bear some of the blame for if we did not crave these kind of pictures and stories these trolls would not exist, true ??.

[sbelknap01]

True, but not on topic - Barrett didn't behave like a papparazzi, more like a nutcase. Is it reasonable to think nude videos of this woman would be worth money to TMZ? His behavior is not rational. (Papparazzi are financially motivated - a money shot can be worth tens of thousands of dollars which doesn't mean I like them, it just makes them a little less scary) This nutcase will be out of custody soon, yet the victim must remain in public in order to earn her living and pay her bills. This is very scary stuff and I do hope the FBI is on it.

[edgy44]

If he took pictures of one woman, you can bet he took pictures of many more. I feel sorry for the victims, but happy they will be able to get this guy off the street. His life is over.

[carolhill814]

Thank heavens he was found but now what is going to happen?

He didn't kill anyone so he will be let out of jail sooner than later because the prisons are so full but now he has been found he is even more dangerous because maybe he will step up a bit and continue on harming someone instead of taking pictures.

I am really scared for her because she is out in the public and you never know what he might try later when nobody knows where he is.

[sbelknap01]

Yes, and did you notice in the article that they are considering letting him go back to California on his own? In other words, release him and tell him to be a good boy and go back to California for further action.... Stalkers, once arrested, need to be held in custody until bail hearing. People who behave in this manner are dangerous. She did nothing to encourage this man, who spent thousands of dollars following her around - this is nutcase behavior, folks - I strongly encourage that he be returned to California in custody and that bail be withheld until a psychiatric evaluation can be presented to the courts.

[rwsmith29456]

I don't watch sports much and didn't really know Erin Andrews. She was the victim of MANY crimes and just as if it had happened to anybody, He stalked her, then took elicit videos of her in her own room, then put those videos on the wsb. That's at least 3 strikes. hope they throw the book at this guy and don't care if he's never had a ticket for jaywalking. I also hope Ms. Andrews can get over this and tell her that there are a lot of people that DIDN'T search out the videos for a look.

[carolhill814]

I hope that you are correct on all counts because they have to throw the book at him but as you and I know if he didn't kill anybody the book won't be as heavy as it should be.
I wouldn't even know how to look for those horrible pictures nor would I but there are so many people out there who don't think as we do.
I think that acts like this as well as rape of which are the same should be called manslaughter because once this happens to you you are never the same ever. The second that you are raped or stalked your life changes you are no longer the person you were before those acts you will change and the change is not for the better you are on alert your personality changes your freedom is gone your body no longer belongs to you as it did before the biggest thing that changes is your freedom to do what you want to do when you want to do it.
I have been trying to change to the law especially for rape for a very long time and nobody seems to care because they think that isn't true but it is and if they do change the law the sentenses would be a lot tougher and maybe people wouldn't be so quick to commit the crimes that they do.
I need as much help as I can get so think about it and maybe you will think th e same as I do.
Thank You!!!

[eyesopenwide]

After spending some time thinking over how it must feel to be violated in this manner, ... it reminds me anew of the company making the new x-ray machines for the airports that show your entire nude body, and just how wrong, how immoral, it is to use such machines.

I'd think people would have grounds for a major lawsuit if they are ever subjected to such an invasion of privacy.

[skepticalJM]

You know there are cameras everywhere taking our pictures, even in johns, but are these government and security cameras not stalking private citizens? Our images and words belong to us; they are our private property, we should not let ANYONE sell, or show someone else's private property without their permission. In this case I think the victim got benefit from the action since she got exposure, which is just what she does in her business; here I think the idea of stalking has been perverted into a racket to get an easy million worth of publicity free of charge. Privacy and celebrity privacy are two different things.

[skepticalJM]

This sounds like another easy way to get publicity for an aspiring reporter.

[owlafaye]

It doesn't matter who she is...she was a victim of serious crime and the perpetrator has been caught...thats what matters.

[cbsblogger]

If it didn't matter and instead involved an average non-celebrity middle class person, this issue would never see a nanosecond of major news air or web time.

Make no mistake this is making news because it is part of the same propaganda to keep Americans dumbed down and disregarding what is really going on as I stated in my previous post. She is part of the sports world that has become agenda one in keeping us stupidified.

[cbsblogger]

Yep, keep Americans obsessed with celebrities and sports so they don't become obsessed with what is going wrong in our country.....such as taxpayers being forced to build billion dollar work places (stadiums) so the rich can become richer, and wars to improve security of Israel, and bailing out those same Wall Streeters that caused our economic distress.

[summarex]

YES!

[stuart-johns1]

Well it worked against you. You're here.

[summarex]

Generally speaking, I'm afraid this stalking law may be too vague. It seems to encroach wildly on what should be protected speech and can be applied to almost anyone who approaches anyone else for almost any purpose. It looks to be on the books because the stars want it that way and it should be removed or declared unconstitutional.

In this case it seem to want to throw it at a guy because he taped a woman illegally even though he doesn't appear to have stalked her. This is what government criminality is all about.

[erasmus111]

"In this case it seem to want to throw it at a guy because he taped a woman illegally even though he doesn't appear to have stalked her."



Ahhh, this guy is phoning around trying to find her, follows her to hotels, books a room next door, and video tapes her naked through peepholes that he has modified, MORE THAN ONCE, and you don't call that STALKING her?

[culturechang]

All legislation nowadays is too broad....and sloppy. When you do something fast, you sacrafice quality. Passing legislation today is not about fixing problems. Its about gaining quick political attention.....grandstanding.

In other news, the US has the highest incarcuration rate in the world. Wonder why?

[cbsblogger]

The celebrities make many millions a year. It was just reported Tiger Woods made a billion in his lifetime. This should be considered as the required sacrifice of privacy that they make in order to make the big bucks.

None of the sacrifice should be made at the public's expense or encroaching on our rights.

[theywerestrongandgood]

So,cbsblogger, because Tiger Woods has made a billion, stalkers should be able to follow and surreptitiously tape and post nude videos of celebrities? Are you a friend of the man who threatened Letterman? I suppose you could say celebrities are fair game.

I guess that would include the local police and fire chiefs, and political leaders. Oh, yes, teachers, too. And probably, storekeepers; everyone knows who they are. I guess everyone but you should be unprotected by law, huh?

[erasmus111]

So the world sees you naked, what's the big deal? : )

Anyways, what I would like to know is HOW did he modify a door peephole? And how could he do that without anyone seeing him? I don't get it.

[culturechang]

I think they make devices that reverse the peep hole magnification so that you can see through. That may be how he did it. Anyway, many people said the video was so grainy you could not see anything.

[edgy44]

Police use the peephole devices to look into a room, and now anyone can buy them. Best to block the peephole on the inside if you aren't using it. It's just a lens device that reverses the peephole lens effect.

[culturechang]

"For my part, I will make every effort to strengthen the laws on a State and Federal level to better protect victims of criminal stalking", she said

There is obviously ALREADY a federal stalking law you dingbat. We dont need another celebrity in Washington with an axe to grind.

[culturechang]

It also has to involve sex to get the FBI's attention. Recall, they were busy chasing prostitutes while the financial crisis and Madoff was ripping off the public.

[culturechang]

It has to involve sex to make the news in the US.

I just wonder, after all this concern over her privacy, if she is one of the reporters who goes into the men's locker room after the games to do interviews. Seems she has not respect for anyone else's privacy.

[spayne09]

Hello CBS.....Erin Andrews is News? She's all over this site. We have 9.8% unemployment..Oduma spends over 1.2million just on fuel for the Olympic failure...He meets with General for only 25 minutes with 19minutes of it taking pictures...Report...Where is the real Journalism?

[valentin73]

who the heck is Erin Andrews anyway???

[kevjustice]

Like Paris Hilton she was a nobody who became famous for having a video of her being naked.

[pvperson3]

Erin Andrews (born May 4, 1978, in Lewiston, Maine) is an American sportscaster. She currently works for ESPN as a sideline reporter at sporting events.

Andrews has become an Internet sensation, as she is popular among male sports fans for her physical appearance. In 2007 and 2008, she was voted "America's Sexiest Sportscaster" by Playboy magazine.

Andrews joined ESPN in May 2004 as a reporter for the network's National Hockey League coverage. Since the 2004 season, she has served as sideline reporter for the ESPN College Football Saturday telecast, the Saturday Primetime college basketball game and Big Ten college basketball coverage. In 2005, she added Major League Baseball sideline reporting to her duties. She also provides reports and features on Great Outdoor Games coverage, covers Men's college baseball, and is a familiar sight during the College World Series.

"Maybe if you pulled your head out of your a** once in a while you would know more."

[jxknowles]

She's the naked girl in those peephole videos.

[stuart-johns1]

Where the heck are the videos??