Westchester Man Indicted On 16 Felony Counts After Filming Classmates In Unisex University Bathroom: DA

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY — A Dutchess County grand jury has handed down indictments related to a bizarre case at a famed Hudson Valley university.

The Dutchess County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday that 22-year-old Kyle Petrozzi, from Westchester County, was arraigned in Dutchess County Court on an indictment by a grand jury charging him with 16 felony counts of second-degree unlawful surveillance.

The judge ordered Petrozzi to be released under probation supervision and to surrender his passport.

"This defendant's alleged actions represent a serious invasion of personal privacy," DA Parisi said. "No one should ever have to worry that a space as private as a bathroom is being monitored. Marist University responded quickly and worked closely with law enforcement throughout the investigation. We are grateful to the Marist community for their support and to the victims, whose
cooperation was essential to the case."

According to the DA's Office, the incidents charged in the indictment took place between April 27 and May 10.

Petrozzi, who was a senior at Marist University, set up surveillance cameras in gender-neutral bathrooms throughout Dyson Hall, resulting in several people, both men and women, being filmed inside the bathrooms, according to prosecutors.

"We all deserve privacy and safety in a public bathroom, and the women affected have every right to feel violated," Richard Portale, the attorney for Petrozzi, said in a statement. "But context matters. No healthy or regulated individual engages in the behavior charged. It is clear that Kyle Petrozzi is struggling with a serious sex-addiction disorder — a compulsive condition that is often hidden, misunderstood, and untreated until it manifests. This does not excuse Kyle's conduct, but it does help explain it."

Portal said his client in not running from responsibility, but is asking for understanding.

"Kyle, now 23, has overcome a learning disability and Crohn's disease to succeed academically, yet he has never received treatment for the underlying compulsive sexual behaviors that are central to this case," Portale said. "He has and will continue to accept responsibility by entering intensive, specialized sex-addiction treatment immediately upon surrendering himself to authorities. We ask for space for the legal and therapeutic processes to move forward, and for the women impacted to continue receiving the respect and support they deserve."

Petrozzi was set to graduate in May 2025, but was expelled by the university due to the allegations, the DA said.

The case was investigated by the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.

This story was updated to include a statement from Petrozzi's legal representative.