Charges: Shakopee Man Records 15-Year-Old Undressing
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Shakopee man hid a video camera in his bathroom in late September to record a 15-year-old girl undress, police said.
Authorities charged 39-year-old Brent Matter with one count of interfering with a minor's privacy. He faces up to two years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
A criminal complaint shows that the teenage victim found the camera on the bathroom sink ledge amongst clutter late on the evening of Sept. 28. She was getting ready to take a shower in preparation for the coming school day when she heard the camera click and saw its lens move. The victim then picked up the camera, rewound it and saw a video of herself undressing, which she promptly deleted.
Forensic analysis showed that the camera had recorded some 4,302 graphic files of the victim undressing.
On Sept. 29, the day after the victim found the camera, the victim's mother called police. The camera belonged the victim's mother, but she told police that Matter asked to borrow it in order to download images of the victim's homecoming dance. The victim and the mother were staying with Matter and his wife at the time of the incident.
On Sept. 30, the victim's mother said Matter texted her saying that he wanted to talk about the incident and said he was sorry if his actions had "crossed the line." Police then gave the victim's mother a recorder to document any further conversations.
Police then went to Matter's place of work to talk to him. He led them to a meeting room for privacy and told police he knew why they were here. Matter agreed to meet officers at the Shakopee Police Department, but declined to speak when there.
Matter is listed as a member of the Shakopee Tri-Parish Collaboration, according to its website. However, a representative from the St. Mark's church said he is not currently a member. When asked if Matter had ever been a member, she gave no response.
A Scott County spokesperson said Matter is a county environmentalist and was first hired in 1996. Since Nov. 9, Matter has been on administrative leave as a result of an ongoing internal investigation unrelated to the charges involving the teenage girl.
