Erin Andrews Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

(AP)  An insurance executive accused of secretly making nude videos of ESPN cable TV sports reporter Erin Andrews pleaded not guilty Monday to interstate stalking.

Michael Barrett, 48, entered the plea in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

Barrett is suspected of finding three hotels where Andrews was staying last year. He rented an adjacent room, altered the peephole and shot videos of Andrews, authorities said.

Photos: Erin Andrews

The videos were shot in Columbus, Ohio, in February 2008; Nashville, Tennessee, seven months later; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July 2008, authorities said.

Barrett is accused of uploading the videos to the Internet and trying to sell them to celebrity gossip site TMZ earlier this year. Several TV networks and newspapers have aired or published images of Andrews taken from the videos.

If convicted, Barrett could face up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. He was scheduled to return to court Jan. 12.

Barrett remained free after posting a bond of $100,000 on Friday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Turchin set the amount after Andrews' attorney Marshall Grossman called Barrett's alleged behavior calculated, cunning and secretive and said he posed a threat to the public.

Barrett's attorney David Willingham has said his client has no criminal record and has deep regret for the circumstances that prompted the charges.

The charges were filed in Los Angeles because TMZ is based there.

More Coverage from Crimesider:

Erin Andrews Nude Peephole Videos: There's More
Erin Andrews Case Shows "Peepholes" in Hotel Security
"Peeping Michael" Has More Videos, Say Prosecutors
Erin Andrews' Alleged Pervert Makes Bail, Loses Job
Erin Andrews Peephole Video: "Stalker" Charged
Erin Andrews Video Helps Land Her On Oprah
Andrews: "I'm Being Treated Like (Bleeping) Britney Spears"
Danica Patrick Sounds Off on Erin Andrews Controversy
New Battle Over Erin Andrews Naked Video
Photos: The Real Erin Andrews
Is Media to Blame for Erin Andrews Scandal?
Andrews Strikes Back! Posters of Video "Act at their Peril"
You're Busted! Watching Erin Andrew's Video a Crime
Hackers Use Video of Erin Andrews to Attack PCs

[edgy44]

Anyone who has a sister or daughter would willingly chop his arms and legs off over this. I hope he gets prison, because I'm sure Ms Andrews will get a civil judgement as well.

[burneb]

Being a peeper is bad enough, secretly videotaping is worse. Following someone around from state to state to do so sounds like a dangerous creepo.

And the evidence is apparently overwhelming. His only defense might be:
I am an insurance executive -- I was too busy raising rates and denying claims to have done these deeds.

[us_1776]

If this guy is found to have done this then he needs to be tried in every jurisdiction where these crimes occurred. He ought to get 20 years and a couple million in fines.

[bigmo47]

Really, 20 years in prison. Please Google recent murder / manslaughter / negligent homicide sentencing and reconsider this suggested punishment.