Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Voyeurism Charge

A Manchester man was sentenced by a Superior Court judge on Tuesday to five years in jail, suspended after one year, and three years’ probation after pleading guilty to one count of voyeurism with the intent to arouse sexual desire.

Paul Zajac, 22, of Manchester, agreed to a plea deal from a case that arose in April 2011 when it was discovered that he set up a hidden camera in the bathroom of the South Windsor home he lived in with his then-girlfriend and her family, according to police.

In February 2012, police charged Zajac with 24 additional counts of voyeurism after forensic analysis of computers seized in the initial arrest turned up 24 images and videos of people who lived in the home either changing in a bedroom or using the bathroom.

As part of the plea deal, 24 counts of voyeurism were nolled and Zajac does not have to register as a sex offender, according to his attorney, Dennis McMahon.

“He took full responsibility,” McMahon said in a telephone interview Wednesday. “He has been in treatment for a long time and he apologized to the family [of the victim]. He understood he had to be punished.”

McMahon said that this was not a “no contest” plea or a plea under the Alford doctrine - under which a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence such that it would likely result in a finding of guilty at trial.

Instead, Zajac entered a straight guilty plea, acknowledging the wrongdoing, McMahon said.

“He understands he did wrong and his heart is broken over it,” McMahon said.

In an unusual step during sentencing on Tuesday, the judge told Zajac to directly address the family that was victimized, McMahon said.

Zajac apologized at that time, McMahon said.

“It was hard for my client and I know it was hard for the family,” McMahon said. “Hopefully it begins a new chapter in their lives.”