Arizona attorney Michael DiBenedetto arrested after alleged window-peeping incidents
Mesa attorney accused of felony charges after voyeurism arrest
An East Valley attorney is accused of four felony charges after police say he was caught recording women naked in their own homes.
PHOENIX - An East Valley attorney is accused of several felony charges after police say he was caught recording women naked in their own homes.
What we know:
On June 28, police arrested 51-year-old Mesa attorney Michael DiBenedetto after an alleged string of window-peeping incidents in Tempe.
Court documents claim on June 18, a woman caught him on security cameras placing an iPhone to her shower window. Ten days later, police tracking his car reportedly caught him naked in a second victim's backyard, peering in and touching himself.
Mesa attorney Michael DiBenedetto is accused of voyeurism after two incidents in Tempe, investigators say. (Photo courtesy of Maricopa County court proceedings)
Prosecutors say he has a history of similar behavior. In 2009, he was convicted in Illinois for unlawful window peeping. But in court, DiBenedetto defended his past, claiming it was a misunderstanding.
"Regarding the 2009 incident, um, you know, I was working for a client who ... I am an attorney. I was doing divorce law at the time. I had a client that could not afford a private investigator and, essentially, I was doing that for them to save them some money. So yes, I did observe their spouse ... but it wasn't necessarily speaking to these current allegations," DiBenedetto said.
DiBenedetto is accused of four felony charges, including voyeurism and burglary.
What's next:
His bond was set at $25,000.
Dig deeper:
On June 30, the Tempe Police Department released a statement, saying it believes there are more victims out there.
"Detectives believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information or similar experiences to come forward," the department said.
‘Additional evidence that placed him in the area’
"The investigation began after a Tempe resident reported that on the night of June 18, she observed a man outside her bathroom window while she was showering. The victim provided investigators with home surveillance video showing a suspect arriving in a blue-gray Rivian SUV, walking through an alley, climbing over a fence to enter her backyard, and leaving shortly afterward. Additional surveillance captured the same SUV in the area on two other occasions.
Using multiple investigative tools, detectives identified the vehicle and linked it to Dibenedetto. Investigators also used court-authorized records and additional evidence that placed him in the area during the reported incidents.
As the investigation progressed, CAST detectives began surveillance of Dibenedetto. On the evening of June 28, detectives observed him enter the backyard of another home near Parkway Boulevard, where he removed his pants and engaged in lewd conduct. Investigators determined he was looking into a room occupied by a second female victim who was undressing. Officers took Dibenedetto into custody without incident before any further crime could occur.
The Tempe Police Department encourages residents to remain vigilant by securing doors and windows, using motion-activated lighting, and promptly reporting any suspicious activity.
The investigation remains active as detectives work to determine whether there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311. Those wishing to remain anonymous may also provide information through Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (837-8446) for Spanish speakers."
The Tempe Police Department provided a photo of the suspect's car to help possible victims come forward if they recognize the car.