MONROE — A 44-year-old Monroe man who initially faced 14 felony charges in Green County Circuit Court for allegedly secretly videotaping two female victims has pleaded guilty to four felony counts of capturing an intimate representation.
In exchange for his plea, Joseph Allen Kohn was sentenced on Nov. 22 to a three-year “withheld” sentence meaning that if he complies with all requirements of the agreement — including treatment and 15 years of registration as a sex offender — he will serve six months of jail time.
Kohn also will be allowed Huber work privileges while serving the time in Green County Jail, Circuit Judge Thomas J. Vale ruled in the case.
According to a criminal complaint, Kohn was charged with multiple counts, including capturing an intimate representation without consent, possession of an intimate representation without consent, and invasion of privacy/surveillance device.
The cameras were found when one of the victims and her boyfriend were house sitting at a Monroe residence and taking care of dogs, as the defendant went on vacation out of state.
“Defendant shall cooperate with, participate in, and successfully complete evaluations, treatment and counseling deemed appropriate by Agent,” the court ruled, according to records.
While staying at the house, victims located one of the cameras in a bedroom and searched the house and found more evidence, including in a bathroom, according to the criminal complaint. That evidence included a dual-USB charging device that also had a hidden camera contained in it, and a wall outlet plug, also equipped with a hidden camera.
According to police investigating the incident, the victims also found evidence on a computer in the residence that revealed the defendant had ordered the surveillance devices — along with a third covert camera hidden in a smoke detector — online.
The illicit surveillance was conducted on several dates in 2023 and 2022, according to the complaint.
Images captured on the cameras allegedly show the victims naked in a bathroom while showering and in a bedroom in the residence.
A search warrant executed by police found numerous computers and equipment allegedly used to view and capture the images. Prior to sentencing Kohn had been free after posting $1,000 cash on a $9,000 signature bond, according to court records.
According to court records, Kohn has no other apparent criminal history in Wisconsin. Although many state and federal laws limit their use, cheap and easily concealed wireless cameras — many with nightvision and audio capability — can be purchased online. They are embedded in watches, key fobs, electrical outlets USB charging ports; and even fake candle wax warmers.
They also have become an issue for users of vacation rentals and hotels. Federal laws regarding privacy do not apply to vacation rentals, but some states and localities have laws that cover camera use “where you would reasonably expect “privacy.”
Experts recommend checking the back of books, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, clock radios, mirrors, light bulbs, house plants, furniture, vents, decorations — anything with a small opening. There’s even an application — Fing — available to check for camera connections; as well as numerous hand-held devices for detecting cameras, bugs, GPS trackers and hidden wireless connections.