CC image by Justin Higuchi at Flickr
Dani Mathers is a model who appeared in Playboy in May 2014 and was the 2015 Playmate of the Year. Ms. Mathers would like her current fame and trending status to be limited to her affiliation with the gentleman’s magazine. Unfortunately for Ms. Mathers she is in the news for something entirely different. It turns out that Ms. Mathers took a photo of a woman showering at the gym and sent it via Snapchat with the headline “If I can’t unsee this then you can’t either.”
For those keeping track, Ms. Mathers has now taken a nude photo without the consent of the woman AND has now broadcast it to the world via social media. Now, Ms. Mathers is trending on Twitter and Facebook for being a bully and body shaming a fellow woman. The articles about this incident have been scathing, and rightfully so. While the actions of Ms. Mathers were awful and disgusting, I’ll let the other publications give their insight into social commentary of her conduct.
[Image via Snapchat.]
Let’s start with Florida law. Ms. Mathers is potentially looking at violating Florida Statute 810.145, video voyeurism. The video voyeurism statutes statute states that someone commits the crime if that person:
For his or her own amusement, entertainment, sexual arousal, gratification, or profit, or for the purpose of degrading or abusing another person, intentionally uses or installs an imaging device to secretly view, broadcast, or record a person, without that person’s knowledge and consent, who is dressing, undressing, or privately exposing the body, at a place and time when that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy
I believe that Ms. Mathers clearly falls within that category for using an imaging device and secretly recording and then disseminating this recording of the woman in the shower. Additionally, because Ms. Mathers is over 19 years of age if she were convicted of the offense she would be guilty of a felony.
If the US Attorney’s Office decided to get involved then Ms. Mathers could be charged with violating 18 USC 1801. The Federal Video Voyerism statute states:
Whoever, in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, has the intent to capture an image of a private area of an individual without their consent, and knowingly does so under circumstances in which the individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(1) the term “capture”, with respect to an image, means to videotape, photograph, film, record by any means, or broadcast;
(2) the term “broadcast” means to electronically transmit a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person or persons;
(3) the term “a private area of the individual” means the naked or undergarment clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast of that individual;
(4) the term “female breast” means any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola; and
(5) the term “under circumstances in which that individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy” means—
(A) circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that he or she could disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that an image of a private area of the individual was being captured; or
(B) circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that a private area of the individual would not be visible to the public, regardless of whether that person is in a public or private place.
Now, I don’t think that Ms. Mathers is a bad person. She did a stupid thing and she has since apologized. However if you are ever in a situation where you are being accused of video voyeurism be sure to call an experienced criminal attorney. Contact Moses & Rooth Attorneys at Law at (407) 377-0150 for an initial consultation.
Jay R. Rooth
Jay is an experienced and dedicated attorney. Whether you need help with a DUI or a more serious felony, Jay is ready to fight for you. Not only is Jay highly regarded by his peers, he’s also strongly recommended by his clients. Jay obtained his Law degree from Barry University Law School. Jay is a active member of the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, the Federalist Society, Florida Bar Association, the Orange County Bar Association, the Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
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