WHAT A HEEL: Erin Andrews’ Stalker Arrested
Michael David Barrett , 48, was arrested on federal charges of interstate stalking for taking secret videos of videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews in a hotel room, trying to sell them to celebrity Web site TMZ and posting the videos online, reports The Associated Press:
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. …
FBI agents said seven of the eight videos posted online were taken through a modified door peephole while the 31-year-old Andrews was alone and undressed in hotel rooms in Nashville, Tenn., 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.
Agents said Barrett also made reservations at a Milwaukee hotel where she stayed in July 2008. They found her door's peephole similarly rigged, but he didn't check in at that hotel and the furniture in the room did not match furniture seen on the eighth video.
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. The account used to post the videos to a Web site that features nude women also was used to upload videos taken of other naked women in hotel rooms, the complaint said. …
The federal complaint said Andrews felt ashamed and embarrassed and has had trouble sleeping and breathing because of the videos. She's also worried that more secretly taped footage will surface, the complaint said.
After the first nude tapes were discovered on the Internet, some speculated that Andrews had taped herself as a publicity stunt and several news organizations posted excerpts or still images from the videos instead of treating her with the sensitivity and care that decent people would normally extend to a crime victim.
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