Former AU student Markus V. Huerta was sentenced to two years in jail and three years of probation on Aug. 1 after pleading guilty to seven counts of voyeurism and one count of attempted voyeurism on March 7. Huerta first pleaded not guilty to four counts of attempted voyeurism when initially charged on May 9, 2024.
Huerta was charged with secretly recording students in campus bathrooms. An investigation by AUPD, aided by a U.S. Capitol Police special agent, found that between April 15 and May 1, 2024, Huerta recorded or photographed over 80 different images of 10 to 15 victims on the University’s campus.
Huerta was fined $50 per count under the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Act — a total of $400. Huerta also must register as a sex offender, undergo mental health and sex offender treatment and avoid all electronics without approval.
Given Huerta’s guilty plea and lack of prior convictions, the office of U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro recommended a sentence of four years with two years to be served in prison and the remaining two suspended, followed by five years of supervised probation, according to a sentencing memo obtained by The Eagle. Additionally, the prosecution argued that the stay-away order from American University’s campus and the victims remain in place.
Based on numerous statements from victims, the government provided a “non-exhaustive summary” of Huerta’s sexual misconduct and how the investigation uncovered the conduct in the case.
A former romantic partner of Huerta disclosed in a statement to the court that Huerta had revealed he took videos of three individuals over the span of a month. She also alleged that Huerta admitted to engaging in such behavior for his own sexual gratification.
Huerta’s former romantic partner also claimed that he admitted to using social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat to communicate with minors and to receive explicit images and videos from them.
As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution agreed not to pursue any more serious or remaining charges and to dismiss the rest at sentencing. The government also agreed to waive certain sentencing procedures and argued that without clear rehabilitation plans, Huerta should face a significant sentence and supervision.
Students who have experienced sexual assault or harassment can seek support through confidential resources such as the University’s Center for Well-Being Programs and Psychological Services, the Student Health Center, the Kay Spiritual Life Center or the following hotlines:
- Collegiate Assistance Program: 1-855-678-8679
- Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network (RAINN) anonymous chat
- RAINN hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- DC Rape Crisis Center: 202-333-7273
Non-confidential resources include the University’s Title IX Office and AUPD.
This article was edited by Payton Anderson, Owen Auston-Babcock, Neil Lazurus, Abigail Hatting and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting.
