Steven Barrett’s name is attached to too many projects around town to count.
For more than a decade he’s been one of the longtime pillars holding up Cleveland’s close-knit music and film scene: booking bands, piecing together compilation CDs, and photographing shows. Last month should have marked the impresario’s latest brainchild: the ADD Short Film Festival, an all-day mash-up of film and live music penciled in for May 7 at the West Side rock club Now That’s Class.
But instead of basking in the success of his latest endeavor, Barrett today is planning a legal defense. Cuyahoga County Prosecutors say Barrett, 33, was found in possession of child pornography and that he videotaped two unsuspecting female roommates while they showered. As a skeevy bonus, they claim, he then posted them on the internet.
Carly Krancevic says she was one of the subjects of Barrett’s hidden camera. Despite having the particulars of her anatomy beamed to the darkest corners of the web, the red-headed 22-year-old is well-composed today as she unspools her experience in a Lakewood coffee shop.
“It’s just hard when someone you trusted betrays you and your privacy, especially in such an intimate setting,” she says. “Everyone showers.”
Krancevic’s stay with Barrett was one in a long series of stop-offs. She’s lived the last couple years as a self-styled couch “gypsy,” surfing the goodwill of friends and family from one address to another. The hopscotch eventually landed her on Barrett’s Euclid doorstep in January.
By then, the two had been friends for a couple of years. They first met at a concert when the girl was 16. For about a year they swapped hi-how-are-yous online before hanging out in person. As the years clicked by, they began orbiting the same friend circle. When Krancevic needed a place this year, Barrett was quick with an offer to stay in one of his spare bedrooms, rent-free.
She says she was hesitant at first because Barrett had been “borderline creepy” in the past. Although they never tangled romantically, he paid her excessive attention and gave her over-the-top gifts. But those subtle hints of sketchiness didn’t sway her to leave the offer on the table.
“I’m just really trusting and don’t like to see the bad in people,” she says. “I figured I’d give him the benefit of the doubt because he’d always been really nice to me and a good friend.”
After moving in, the first few weeks went smoothly. But in time, Krancevic grew uncomfortable in her new digs. Barrett starting telling his roommate how attractive she was and asked personal questions about her sexual history. When she would clam up, he’d start tossing around graphic bedroom details about his own exes.
Then there was the shower. Days after moving in, Krancevic noticed the shower valve in the second-floor bathroom was missing, leaving a hole in the tile. Barrett said he was working on the plumbing. But the valve was never replaced.
Over time, Krancevic became aware of another Barrett oddity: Though he spent most of his time downstairs, he seemed to find his way to the second floor whenever she prepared to shower.
“At worst, I thought he was in his room thinking about what I was doing in the shower,” she says.
The tension came to a head in March, when Krancevic needed directions to a doctor’s appointment. Barrett was out, and her laptop wasn’t connected to the internet, so she went down to the basement and fired up his computer. When she went to plug Yahoo into the address bar, she tapped “y,” and up popped keywords from a recent website visit.
Krancevic doesn’t recall the specific site, but it was porn — and the term “young” led the charge of other words you don’t want to find on your roommate’s browser. Shocked, the young woman bolted from the house, leaving her belongings — clothes, laptop, social security card — and never looking back.
A few days later, Krancevic figured she might have overreacted.
“I thought I probably just saw something and took it the wrong way, and now I’m this weirdo who’s left my stuff at his place and not called him,” she recalls thinking. Also weird: Barrett never called her either.
But in the first week of May, Krancevic was contacted by another woman she didn’t know who moved into Barrett’s Euclid home shortly after Krancevic made hasty tracks. The woman, who declined to be interviewed by Scene, told Krancevic she’d made a disturbing discovery of her own at the house.
According to police reports, the woman had also known Barrett for a number of years before moving into the home in April. She told police she immediately spotted the hole in the bathroom wall and, peering inside, saw “something shiny and reflective.”
Every time she showered, she plugged the gap with a sponge. One day she went in and noticed the sponge had been removed. Later, she started the shower but didn’t get in. As she waited, she heard Barrett come upstairs and remove a panel behind the wall. When he was gone, she snooped around, located the panel, and found a camera setup inside. She immediately moved out and located Barrett’s previous tenant.
Even then, Krancevic juggled the possibilities in her mind.
“Honestly, I thought there had to be some logical explanation, and I was really reluctant to go to the police,” she says. “I felt like maybe I would drag his name through the dirt. He was my friend and had opened up his home.”
But, she adds: “Although it’s shocking, he’s not the last person on earth I would have thought would have done something like this.”
Together, the women marched into the Euclid police station to share their discovery. On Friday, May 6, officers executed a search warrant at Barrett’s home. His computers and equipment were reportedly seized, and he was interviewed by police at the station. The ADD Film Festival scheduled for the following day was postponed. According to a post on the event’s Facebook page, the delay was the result of “a minor catastrophe” where “a lot of stuff for the film fest was lost.”
After the search, Krancevic learned Barrett apparently hadn’t kept the shower footage to himself, but uploaded it to porn sites for the pervert masses. Although the original videos were eventually taken down, the clip had already spread to other sites. Thanks to her defensive tactics, the second woman was apparently never caught on camera.
The police search of Barrett’s property led to misdemeanor charges stemming from the shower cam, as well as a stash of child pornography — a felony offense. Reached at his home, Barrett declined to talk about the situation. His attorney, Eric Nemecek, tells Scene the defendant plans to enter a plea of not guilty to all charges. His arraignment is scheduled for July 5.
“At this point, it’s just an allegation. Mr. Barrett is presumed innocent,” Nemecek says. “He looks forward to addressing the matter in court.”
This article appears in Jun 29 – Jul 5, 2011.
I really wish I could believe that this was not true. It is, however. Saddening. Disgusting.
I was kind of holding out hope that he didn’t post the videos on the internet. Taking the videos is terrible enough, but posting them on the internet takes it to the next level. What a scumbag.
the blabbermouth girl who did an INTERVIEW for pity points is just as bad. a truly disturbing read. barrett runnin up those stairs “SHOWER TIME!!!”
This article seems to focus on only one side of the story and, frankly, relies on the accounts of someone with questionable motives. Steve seems to be a known and trusted member of the Cleveland arts community (as demonstrated by the sub head), but somehow the allegations are the emphasis of the piece. His accusers don’t seem to have the reputation as Steve has; promoter, photographer, arts lover. Perhaps, instead of demonizing an individual who has not been arraigned or convicted of these alleged crimes, Scene should look into more details on the events and the credibility of its sources. Including those missing items might make for more objective reporting.
Since when did someone who is interested in the arts (and I use that term loosely given his taste in alot of music here) suddenly make them immune from being a creep? Ever hear of Roman Polanski?
dudes a pervert any way you slice it, and he’s busted but the wheels of journalism can be greased as demonstrated by scene mag
Since when did havign an interest in the arts (and I use that term loosely given that most of what he went on about was junk) make you immune from being a friggin’ creep? Ever hear of Roman Polanski? I’m sure Stevie did.
I question the motives of anyone who defends him.
his lawyer should wear a shirt that says:
DEFEND CLEVELAND!
i dont know one person that didnt think he was a creep from the get go, not one person who didnt get uncomfortable when he made you pose and shoved the camera in your face, and not one person who was not surprised by him doing this. and you must be just as bizarre for thinking he was trusted….. and “Steven Barrett’s name is attached to too many projects around town to count”…. yea too many projects that no one attended because they all sucked!
“relies on the accounts of someone with questionable motives.” what were these motives? not wanting to be filmed without permission and then exploited?! now get your fingers off the keyboard cause your probably doing a google search for these videos too, ya freak.
It’s not about being immune because someone is in the arts community. Anyone can be a creep, engage in illegal or immoral acts, and be called out for creepy behavior. The issue here is that Scene seems to point out that Steve is known and respected for his contributions to the community, but very quick to lend credence to a lesser known and lesser respected voice without considering the bigger picture. You know, the whole journalistic integrity thing?
Roman Polanski IS a scum bag who decided to run away from responsibility for his actions. Polanski chose the cowardly way out. Steve has chosen to face his accusers and directly address the accusations against him with his account on the facts. Steve will have his time in court and face the consequences.
I question the motives of the magazine for publishing this article in the grandiose manner that is did. Is it because this is a significant story or is there an element of sensationalism?
Because everyone is guilty until proven innocent, right?
If he had the resources, money and dual citizenship for starters, you don’t think he would be on the first flight out of here? They make a lot of outrageous films in Europe after all but I’m sure most are consensual so maybe he’s not interested?
What about this guy is worth defending? Do you think the girl is making up her story? Do you not think he would do something like this? By all accounts the guy gave off serious creep-vibes so what is your relationship with him exactly? And don’t play the guilty before innocent card…nobody does that unless they have their own skeletons in the closet.
so, according to your logic: creepy = guilty pervert?
What are the chances that Steve Friend is Steve Barrett?
so, according to your logic: creepy = guilty perverty?
For the record, this is not Steve Barrett.
@Steve Friend: The article seems to be just presenting the facts (actions by local law enforcement), and the recollections of the women involved. I don’t see any demonizing (except for “sketchiness” and “weird”) – just an honest assessment of things as they stand. I also know Steve and I hope for his sake this is some misunderstanding… I certainly don’t want to see him go to prison, I don’t think it’d be good for him in any way. If the allegations are true, I’d rather he get some help and realize how what he did was wrong – and compensate the woman for a gross violation of her privacy. He also would owe the art & music scene an apology for tying up the work of so many artists in a sordid legal case, in addition to having their names attached to a sex offender… and if it all comes out that Steve is being falsely accused, I’ll welcome him back as I hope everyone else does.
Straight-to-DVD Productions presents….Cami Skanky Diaz …Seth Rogen…..Eric ‘the Godz’ Moore….and, in his last appearence, Dennis Hopper….the madness, the excess, the glory (hole) and tragedy of it all…. come see what happens when a brilliant but mad artist loses his Adderall and shamelessly turns to carpentry and plumbing to control his wayward, unreleased sexual energy. Directed by Michael Moore….The Couch Gypsy! Coming to a theater near you (most likely as part of a late night double bill featuring “The Human Centipede”)
I wonder if she ran out of the house screaming after typing “y” because of the porn or because mp3’s of the new Yo La Tengo record came up?
A porn site where people upload personal videos, and which autocompletes when you type ‘Y’?
Could it be anything other than Youporn?
McFitz = McKraut?
Hidden camera is one thing, if it is shared with strangers, that takes it to a whole different level of disrespect. You can be lonley and desperate and do dumb things. There is no justification for sharing the videos, other than that he probably contributed to an online community that uploaded other real, or staged voyer videos and he was returning the favor. I just hope the “child porn” is 16-17 nostalgia-for-your own youth type of stuff and not kids or older men with teens.
Arraign in blood – Go F*** yourself. How dare you judge her for having the courage to come forth and tell her story. She is giving all the women who this has happened to a voice.
Steve Friend – I’m not sure what story you read, but this is not one sided. If you had seen the news story on Channel 19, you would see Steve say that he made a mistake – he didn’t deny it. He has also admitted it multiple times to multiple people. Having seen the video, I can say for certain that it’s true. He is a predator of women and children who did nothing to him. Just because he is ‘well known’ in CLeveland does not make him a good person.
The ‘blabbermouth’ who did this article happens to be my sister and she is a thousand times the person than you idiots will ever be. Just wait until this ‘well respected’ monster goes to jail. I hope he feels half the pain and humiliation he has made my sister and innocent children feel.
Are you admitting you watched the video with your sister in it??
Are you kidding me??? Anyone out there that wants to believe this freak is innocent needs just as much help as he does. He is 100% guilty of filming these women and sending it off to creepy porn sites. I think it is outrageous that anyone would make the comment that Carly is a “blabbermouth”. She is simply speaking the TRUTH about a “man” that violated her in ways no woman should ever have to experience. If Carly had not stepped forward the way she did then this illegal activity would probably have continued, taking on more victims. There is NOTHING ok about what he did, and everything GOOD about what Carly and this other woman did. In 2011, why are we still insistent on blaming the victim? Carly you did the right thing!
For the record, Roman Polanski DID face his accusers, DID follow all of the conditions of his plea, and fled because the judge recanted on his word. Even THE VICTIM in that case said the judge was an idiot who ruined her life far more than Polanski did.
Sorry, just had to fact check. Regarding this case… the whole thing is sad an fucked up. But, I think there is no reason to vilify the women involved for being forthright about their side of the story. Why should they hide in shame?
@cj3717: where is Steve’s side? The Ch19 “story” is a joke. He said that he “fucked up” but not about what? Again, where is the balance? Truth is being confused with media accounts. I want to hear Steve’s story before ANY judgement is made. This has nothing to do with being “well known in Cleveland” and everything to do with being a human being with rights to due process in this country.
If Steve is guilty, then so be it. I hope it will give him treatment and guidance he needs to never do it again. But, until a judge (and/or jury) make that decision, who has the right to make that call based on a limited view of the facts. Can you really say that this piece and the Ch. 19 piece tell the whole, unedited story? If you can say yes to that, then I feel for you.
Mr. Pervert, I don’t know if you noticed the whole “young” thing included in the site.. try young_____ladyboys. Just a tip from the source. This is no average porno freak.
man, I am glad I don’t live in cleveland anymore…. hidden shower videos are really boring and the fact that this shit is front and center on Scene’s website is pretty fucked.
ps there were like 5 typos/grammatical errors in that story, sensational no, fucking stupid yes!
thank you to everyone who forwarded me this story.
Steve you are a pervert and loser. How dare you do that to these women. As a mother of “young” children I am disgusted and hope you get convicted so you are off the streets.
I would like to add to my previous comment by saying that I really hope that he is innocent.
I also hope that if he is found guilty, his prison term is fair and not anything close to the 130 years he is reportedly facing.
…and ‘Steve Friend’, it’s kind of ridiculous to claim that these allegations are baseless because the women don’t have Steve’s reputation. You could even argue that Steve’s reputation would work against him in this case (and I won’t mention the prime example because I don’t want to sensationalize this any more than it has been).
To be clear: my argument was not that the accusers’ claims are baseless. I am confident that their claims have validity and were compelling enough for local and county law enforcement to take action. My argument is that the article presents them in a very lopsided fashion and that there is insufficient information in this forum to condemn him…or anyone else for that matter.
I do feel for the accusers in this case. If there was a violation of their privacy, trust, and basic rights, then those who are responsible should face the consequences and get the help they need to prevent this from happening in the future. However, I also feel for the accused in this case and do not want his rights violated because the court of public opinion is equating creepiness with guilt of felonious acts.
Remember that about 40% of arrests do not result in convictions. Last I checked, everyone in this country has a right to be considered innocent until proven guilty. If you want to believe all of the allegations against Mr. Barrett are true, you have the freedom to do that, but let him be free to remain innocent until proven otherwise. If you cannot do that, you are pushing right up against the very freedoms in which you say you believe. Let the system do its work. The prosecutors and judge did not feel he was a danger to society or a flight risk, or he would have been behind bars from arrest to arraignment/trial. It’s not like he is paying a high-power attorney; he has a public defender.
That is all. Go about your lives.
I guess this goes to “Steve’s Friend” and all those who are hoping for innocence– I am not even a close friend of Steve’s, but after hearing the allegations, I emailed him and asked about the truth of the matter. He admitted video taping the women, but claims the child pornography is a “misunderstanding”. Also, I have heard that Steve himself is the one who told the police where to find the files of the women and which website under which tag he posted it on. So, instead of giving Carly shit for doing what she felt was right, why don’t you guys just ask Steve? I don’t think he has denied his role in the voyuerism to anyone who has asked…. Further, Steve was asked if he wanted to do an interview and declined. For those who have complained that the story is one sided (although it seems to stick mostly to facts that are in the police reports) please remember that he had a chance to tell his story
“I emailed him and asked about the truth of the matter. He admitted video taping the women, but claims the child pornography is a “misunderstanding”
SURE you did. I am quite certain he would talk to you about this when he is unwilling to talk to the press or his FRIENDS.
@sceneit – If he did not receive an email from Mr. Barrett admitting to the allegations, @mr.meadows is looking at spending some time in court himself – as the defendant in a defamation suit.
The allegations were bolstered by the the incriminating evidence found on the hard drives and disks by the police.They wouldn’t have charged him so quickly if they didn’t. The guy is a perv no matter what he has done for the arts in Cleveland.
By the way he basically admitted it on a Channel 19 segment. The guy is a creep.
As someone who has personal experience with both Carly and Steve, I am puzzled by this story. Carly, in my experience and opinion, has frequently shown herself to be a self righteous, rumor mongering, and highly erratic person. This explains her status as, “the couch gypsy”- if a girl can’t count on her family or any friends and has to live on the charity of a guy she thought was creepy from the start, it’s kind of obvious she likes to burn her bridges. Sure Steve is “borderline creepy”, but not too creepy to live with for free or accept gifts from! While I don’t condone what Steve has been accused of doing, this story is over the top in its sensationalism. Furthermore, the statement that the two have never been involved is a bald-faced lie, as I once witnessed them joined at the tongue in the Beachland tavern. Steve has always struck me as a giant creep who needs to get help, but then again, Carly has always struck me as a two-faced sociopath who needs to get help, so I don’t know who to believe here. Much respect to the woman who chose to remain anonymous and not whore herself out for public attention and sympathy, that shows a lot of class and intelligence.
Oooo i saw them kissing heeheehee! But yeah that girl’s a rumor mongerer. There is nothing wrong with someone telling their story to shed light on a dark situation. Carly didn’t whore herself out, Steve Barrett whored her out on the internet without her knowledge or consent. People like “Hmmmmmm” are the reason women who are violated and exploited stay silent. They don’t want to be personally attacked after being through so much already. I respect Carly for her courage and intelligence to fight against this evil, and I hope her actions give others the courage to come forward and tell their stories.
I personally know Carly and know she can be spontaneous, erratic, and a flight case; but strike me down with a bolt of lightning if she didn’t speak with all truthfulness. I wouldn’t be surprised though that she didn’t have a “spontaneous” make out session at beachland one time while drinking, BUT that does not constitute anyone to video tape her in the shower!! And don’t get me started about child pornography! The pervert deserves all the punishment he is getting now.