Michael David Barrett, 47, the Illinois insurance executive accused of filming former Florida Gators dazzler turned ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews nude in her hotel room on numerous occasions, has officially been charged with one count of interstate stalking. In federal charging documents obtained by TMZ, Barrett allegedly followed Andrews around the country over at least a period of nine months, calling numerous hotels in each of her stops to determine where she was staying. Federal agents say Barrett would check into a room next to her, alter the peephole device of her room and secretly shoot video of her before e-mailing it to an account. TMZ received a statement from Barrett’s lawyer on Wednesday, which said:
Mr. Barrett would like to express his deep regret for the circumstances that have caused the issuance of charges against him today. It is his sincere hope that this matter can be resolved as soon as possible.
An interstate stalking conviction carries a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Considering Andrews’ celebrity and the fact that Barrett tried to sell these videos, one would not expect the courts to go light on his sentencing.
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