Man sentenced for hiding camera in bathroom

POUGHKEEPSIE – A Wappingers Falls man was sentenced Wednesday to five to 15 years in state prison for hiding a small camera in the bathroom of his house and using it to record videos of female relatives and friends as they used the toilet and shower.
The videos were then stored on the personal computer of Michael Kelly, 54, who watched them repeatedly.
The camera, which had apparently been in place for years, was discovered
by his son who immediately contacted authorities.
As the case was set to go to trial, Kelly took a plea to a charge of
unlawful surveillance.
Prior to sentencing by by Judge Edward McLoughlin on several counts of unlawful surveillance, many of the victims, some relatives, spoke and told of the pain brought to them by the defendant.  One victim referred to the lasting scars as “mental terrorism.” Another victim called his actions a “disgrace to his wife and family.” 
A letter from Kelly to the court several months ago attempted to explain
his behavior. Kelly blamed his “addiction to pornography” in
large part because of actions taken by his mother during his childhood.
A character reference letter on behalf of Kelly was submitted by Dutchess
County Legislator Joe Incoronato, the defendant’s father-in-law. The letter
came as a surprise to Incoronato’s daughter who was in court to support
the victims. Incoronato did not return several calls seeking comment as1,fter
the sentencing.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Brady said that the women
showed “enormous courage” as he sought the maximum penalty for
Kelly.
“I think they are going to feel that the defendant was held accountable by Judge McLoughlin’s sentence,” Brady said. “I think having each sentence run consecutively, one sentence for each victim, held him accountable and gives them a sense of justice.”
Brady claims Kelly had not taken ownership for his actions. Brady cited an interview Kelly had with probation in which he said “if my son hadn’t found the camera, no one would’ve been hurt.” Kelly had been out on bail until earlier this year when the court learned that he had attempted to bribe the victims with gift cards in exchange for not testifying. Bail was revoked and he was sent to the Dutchess County Jail.
In handing down the sentence of one to three years in prison for each of the five victims to be served consecutively, the judge told Kelly that his crimes had been “carefully deceptive.” McLoughlin also said, “I wish there was a law that would allow you to suffer as much as they (the victims) will. In addressing the victims, McLoughlin said in part that he hopes this experience serves “only to make you stronger.”