State Police Arrest Middletown Man, Find Dozens of Videos of Women Taken Without Consent
GoLocalProv News Team
State Police Arrest Middletown Man, Find Dozens of Videos of Women Taken Without Consent
Christopher Toppa, 47, was charged with 16 counts of video voyeurism, possession of marijuana over one ounce and resisting arrest.
During a forensic analysis of Toppa’s phone, investigators discovered approximately 37 voyeurism style videos and approximately six (6) live voyeurism style photographs. These videos and photographs were taken from the outside of residence windows looking into the interior of various residences in the Middletown and Newport area.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAccording to State Police, the videos and live photographs depicted nude or partially nude young women while they were changing, showering, using the restroom or engaging in sexual acts.
Toppa was held as a bail violator for the charge of possession of marijuana over one ounce and resisting arrest and he has a status review on February 11, 2020.
The investigation is still ongoing.
The Arrest
According to RI State Police, on January 31, 2020, members of the Rhode Island State Police High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA), executed a court-authorized search warrant at the residence of Toppa.
As a result of this warrant approximately 120 marijuana plants, 3.6 pounds of usable marijuana, 10.8 pounds of marijuana edibles and Toppa’s Apple iPhone were seized.
During a forensic analysis of Toppa’s phone, investigators discovered approximately 37 voyeurism style videos and approximately six (6) live voyeurism style photographs. These videos and photographs were taken from the outside of residence windows looking into the interior of various residences in the Middletown and Newport area.
According to State Police, the videos and live photographs depicted nude or partially nude young women while they were changing, showering, using the restroom or engaging in sexual acts.
Investigators concluded that the images seized were not sent to Toppa's phone via a text message or email or downloaded off the Internet.
Investigators were able to positively identify, locate and interview approximately six (6) victims. Each of the victims stated that the videos were taken without their consent and knowledge.
According to RI State Police, on Friday, February 7, members of the Rhode Island State Police HIDTA Task Force, Computer Crimes Unit and Middletown Police Department responded to 223 North Fenner Avenue, Middletown, RI to execute a court-authorized search warrant for Toppas residence and an arrest warrant for his arrest.
Investigators attempted to apprehend Toppa and he refused to comply with investigators' commands and resisted lawful arrest, according to the State Police.
Investigators were able to take Toppa into custody and seized approximately 2.681 ounces (76 grams) of suspected marijuana from Toppa.
Possible Punishment
A person found guilty of the crime of video voyeurism shall be imprisoned for not more than three (3) years in jail and/or fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5000).
A person found guilty of possession of one ounce or more of marijuana upon conviction may be imprisoned for not more than five (5) years, or fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.
A person found guilty of resisting arrest shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by both fine and imprisonment.