The FBI says they have arrested a Chicago-area man and charged him with "interstate stalking" for allegedly filming—and then attempting to sell—the nude video of Erin Andrews.
According to an AP report, Michael David Barrett, 48, of Westmont, Illinois, was arrested late on Friday night at O'Hare International Airport. Earlier in the day he was named in a federal criminal complaint in Los Angeles that did not mention Andrews by name, but did reference an on-air ESPN personality. The man was tracked down via an email sent to TMZ, allegedly offering to sell them video of a nude Andrews filmed surreptitiously in her hotel room. In addition:
An FBI investigation allegedly uncovered evidence that Barrett registered at a Milwaukee hotel where Andrews was staying in July 2008, but he never checked in. However, a peephole on her door was altered, the FBI said.
According to CNN, there was a similar incident at a hotel in Nashville back in September 2008. Barrett checked into a room adjacent to Andrews' and the peephole on her door had been tampered with. It's believed that most of the videos in question were filmed at that hotel. It's not clear at this time if the man has any previous connection to Andrews.
I had assumed from the very beginning that this crime would go unsolved, but yay for the FBI. Never underestimate greed and stupidity. Look for more updates in the morning and throughout the weekend.
FBI: Man arrested in ESPN reporter nude video case [AP]
Westmont man charged in connection with Erin Andrews nude video [Chicago Sun-Times]
FBI arrests Westmont man in ESPN nude video case [Chicago Breaking News]
Arrest Made in Erin Andrews Peeping Tom Case [TMZ]
Arrest made in ESPN reporter's voyeur video case [CNN]