Michael David Barrett

Michael David Barrett was arrested and now must account for his alleged crimes -- federal charges of interstate stalking for taping and distributing nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews.

CHICAGO (AP) -- A man accused of taping surreptitious nude videos of ESPN 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 airport as he arrived from Buffalo, N.Y., 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."

...Andrews' attorney, Marshall Grossman, said 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, Tenn., in September 2008.

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.

FBI agents said Barrett also made reservations at a Milwaukee hotel where Andrews 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, 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.

Good for TMZ.

The TMZ employee played an important role in busting this guy.

Barrett, allegedly, is a real creep. He went to a great deal of effort to make the tapes, stalking Andrews.

If found guilty, I hope he gets the maximum sentence.

Or do you think that Barrett has suffered enough? It must have been stressful wondering if the law would catch up with him.

Should poor Barrett be given a pass, like many believe Roman Polanski, child sexual predator and rapist, deserves?

No.

Both should be held accountable for their crimes.

Polanski belongs in federal prison.
_________________

Video, from Breitbart.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Weird how Milwaukee figures into this story. So often there's a local angle.