LAW LOOPHOLE: Ames Man Takes Deal

A 63-year old Ames man pleaded guilty to charges that he secretly videotaped a 5-year old boy in the boy’s home.  But  the man won’t be going to prison, and you can blame Iowa laws for that.

Harold Wulf admitted to running a video camera through a vent in his duplex, into the bedroom of his neighbor’s 5-year old.  But, according to Iowa law, that is only considered a serious misdemeanor, not a felony. Wulf was only charged with a felony because the video tape included audio conversations of the family, and it’s a felony to record audio conversations of people in Iowa without the consent of one party.

“That is correct. That is Iowa law.” Story County Attorney Stephen Holmes says “And that isn’t anything that my office has anything to do with.  And that is why I’m very happy to speak to you about it.  Because I’m hoping it will gather interest and perhaps the legislature will take a look at it.”

We brought the case to Senator Brad Zaun (R) Urbandale.  He plans to look into it. “Right now it’s audio and now we just need to update that to include videotaping and I think anybody that does anything like this needs to be charged appropriately. It’s disgusting what you’re telling me that happened up in Ames.”

Wulf took a plea deal, and pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful interception of communications.  The prosecution is not recommending any jail time, just probation.