A Milwaukee County man who worked at Illume Cosmetic Surgery and MedSpa in Glendale is facing felony charges after police say a recording device was secretly used inside the clinic and intimate images were captured without consent. Glendale police say officers executed a search warrant at his home on Wednesday and took him into custody, and prosecutors have charged him with multiple counts of stalking and of capturing an intimate representation without consent. Illume has placed the employee on administrative leave and told staff the alleged conduct is “utterly reprehensible.” The case remains under review by the district attorney’s office as investigators continue to gather evidence.
Glendale police took the man into custody after executing a search warrant at his home on Wednesday, according to TMJ4. The station reports that it is withholding the suspect’s name until the district attorney completes a review of the criminal complaint and that the charges include multiple counts of stalking and “capturing an intimate representation without consent.”
Illume says it is cooperating and has worker on leave
In a memo to staff obtained by TMJ4, Illume CEO Henry Behrendt called the alleged actions “utterly reprehensible and completely incompatible with our core values.” The company told the station that law enforcement’s search centered on conduct involving a recording device used on the premises and that the employee has been placed on administrative leave while police investigate. Illume also said it is cooperating fully with police and other appropriate authorities as the inquiry continues.
What the law says
Nonconsensual capture and distribution of intimate images falls under Wisconsin statutes addressing “representations depicting nudity,” and prosecutors can pursue charges when someone captures an intimate representation without consent, as summarized by the Wisconsin State Law Library. Stalking laws can also come into play when a course of conduct, including monitoring or recording, would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or to suffer substantial emotional distress.
Potential penalties
A conviction for a Class I felony in Wisconsin can carry a sentence of up to 3 years and 6 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, according to state sentencing guidance and court decisions. Actual penalties would depend on the precise counts charged, whether the case is resolved by plea, and the judge’s ultimate sentencing decision; see Justia for background on sentencing ranges.
Local context: hidden-camera prosecutions
Hidden-camera prosecutions are not new in Wisconsin and have sometimes resulted in lengthy prison terms when prosecutors proved widespread recording and distribution. In one case, prosecutors said a former Froedtert West Bend Hospital employee used a hidden camera to record coworkers in a bathroom and later received a lengthy sentence after entering a plea, as reported by FOX6. Cases like these typically hinge on forensic evidence recovered during searches and on proving that victims had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
The Glendale investigation remains active, and officials say they will release additional information as the district attorney reviews the complaint. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact Glendale police, and Illume says it will continue to cooperate as authorities pursue the case.
