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TMCNet: Tattoo artist accused of videotaping nude women

[November 14, 2009]

Tattoo artist accused of videotaping nude women

CHEYENNE, Nov 14, 2009 (Wyoming Tribune-Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A local tattoo shop owner has been charged with felony voyeurism in connection with accusations he secretly videotaped nude female clients while piercing them.

Steven J. Martinez, 42, of Cheyenne, who owns Bad Ass Tattoo on Warren Avenue, was charged with the felony count Thursday.

Authorities allege Martinez videotaped women without their permission while piercing them at the shop, according to Laramie County Circuit Court documents.

But Martinez said Friday that he videotapes the women because he is sometimes alone during the piercing and believes he could be vulnerable to false accusations of sexual assault, as has happened in the past. He said he believes it is not a crime because there is no reasonable expectation of privacy when getting such piercings.

"It's to protect myself. I'm in a situation where I don't have witnesses to say nothing inappropriate happened," he said.

Martinez went on to say that women in the tapes cannot be identified.

"Even a detective made a comment that the videos are pretty bland," he said, adding that he has cooperated with authorities.

After several months, Martinez said, he deletes the videos.

Felony voyeurism carries a penalty of up to two years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.

Another court hearing is scheduled Nov. 23 for a judge to decide if there is enough evidence to send Martinez to district court on the charge.

According to court documents, police said the felony voyeurism allegations surfaced when an anonymous woman contacted a police officer "who said her daughter's boyfriend has seen videos of females receiving tattoos and piercings in private areas. These videos were taped at Bad Ass Tattoo Company by Steven Martinez." On Friday, Martinez questioned who made the call, claiming only one person has seen the videos and suggesting that person went looking through the computer.

Search warrants were served at Martinez's residence and at Bad Ass Tattoo, according to court documents.

Authorities allege they found videos on a computer at the tattoo parlor of females receiving piercings, according to court documents.

"In one video, the female receiving the piercing asked Steven Martinez about the camera," according to court documents. "Martinez told her the camera was not on. He then moved the camera to a lower shelf so it could not be seen; however, it was still recording. Martinez moved the camera back up on the upper shelf while he pierced her (private area), and then he moved it back to the lower shelf before the female sat up." To see more of Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wyomingnews.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Cheyenne Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

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