Fulton Man Used Hidden Surveillance To Record Teens Undressing

FULTON, NY – A tip to police launched an investigation into the actions of a Fulton man who has been accused of video voyeurism.

<p>Michael A. Engel</p>
Michael A. Engel

Michael A. Engel, 40, of Hill Top Drive, Fulton, has been arrested and charged with five counts of second-degree unlawful surveillance, class-E felonies. He is also facing misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of a child and forcible touching.

Police say Engel installed a surveillance camera inside a bathroom exhaust vent to record several young women, primarily in their teens, in various stages of undress without their knowledge or consent. Videos retrieved by police show the victims brushing their teeth, doing their hair, preparing to shower and using the toilet, according to court documents.

“We received information that was used to apply for a search warrant,” Lt. Jeff Kinney said. “We executed the warrant and discovered the surveillance equipment.”

“I can’t believe this is happening and I feel so violated,” a 20-year-old victim said in her statement to police. … (Engel) creeped me out. I mean he just made me feel uncomfortable. He never said or did anything to me but I just didn’t like being around him.”

Another victim, who was 16 years old at the time, reported a different experience. In a six page statement, the victim told police that Engel asked her to pose for photographs “so he could draw me in his sketches,” she said.

“(Engel) didn’t tell me what type of pictures or poses they would be,” she said.

Later, Engel directed her to undress and cover with a sheet.

“(Engel) took several pictures of me, some with the sheet on and some without the sheet,” she said. “He would tell me what to do, how to lay and how to pose.”

Engel subsequently directed the victim to take nude photographs of him. As he stood without clothing, he ejaculated, she said. He also set the timer on the camera to take photographs of the two of them together.

On another occasion, the victim said Engel gave her a back massage and asked her to flip over, whereupon he started to massage her breasts.

Engel was also charged with a misdemeanor count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and a violation charge of unlawful possession of fireworks for items discovered during the execution of the warrant.

Police say the investigation continues with the assistance of the Oswego County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Additional charges are anticipated.

Engel was arraigned in Fulton City Court by Judge Spencer J. Ludington and remanded to the Oswego County Public Safety Center. He has since been released on bail and is slated to return to court today.

Anyone with information has been urged to call the City of Fulton Police Department at (315) 598-4504 or the Fulton Police Department Tips line at (315) 593-8477.

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