Coeur d'Alene man gets 30 years for voyeurism

COEUR d’ALENE — A man prosecutors described as “the epitome of a wolf in sheep’s clothing” will spend up to 30 years in prison after he secretly recorded nude videos of children and adults.

Michael S. Wall, 51, of Coeur d’Alene, pleaded guilty in September to four counts of sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitative material and four counts of video voyeurism, all felonies. 

Wall pleaded guilty in accordance with Alford to the first count of sexual exploitation of a child, specifically regarding possession of “approximately 390 photos and/or videos” depicting child sexual abuse. By entering an Alford plea, Wall did not admit guilt but acknowledged there was enough evidence to convict him at trial. 

First District Judge Ross Pittman sentenced Wall on Thursday to 30 years in prison, with parole eligibility after 15 years. The sentence was in line with the state’s recommendation. 

“You have cut a swathe of destruction across this community,” Pittman told Wall before handing down the sentence. “The effects of that are going to be felt across North Idaho for years and years.” 

The Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began investigating after a cloud storage company reported that a user, later identified as Wall, had uploaded child sexual abuse material to his account.  

A search of Wall’s storage account yielded more than 400 files containing child sexual abuse material, according to court records, as well as more than 200 files “that appeared to be self-produced ‘up-skirt’ type videos” of children and adults, dating back as far as 2006. 

“There’s no limit to who you will victimize,” Pittman said. “You will victimize adults. You will victimize children. You will victimize males. You will victimize females. There’s literally no one in this courtroom who would not be a potential victim, based on what I’ve seen and heard.” 

Some of the videos appeared to be recorded at Wall’s former workplace, Willamette Valley Bank in Coeur d’Alene, where he was employed as a loan officer. Wall also made secret recordings in the men’s showers at Peak Fitness in Coeur d’Alene, court records said.  

Prosecutors said Wall secretly placed recording devices in places like bathrooms and under dining tables, doing so at multiple locations in Kootenai and Bonner counties between 2020 and 2024. These devices captured nude videos of adults and children, according to court records. 

Some of Wall’s victims, who were longtime friends, implored the court to impose a lengthy sentence. 

One woman described a 16-year friendship with Wall, who was like an uncle to her young daughter, until his voyeurism came to light and she learned that he had victimized and violated her family. 

“The entire friendship was a lie and a front to use us,” she said. 

The woman tearfully described a video Wall recorded while on vacation with her family, in which he surreptitiously put a cellphone up her 6-year-old daughter’s nightgown. 

“He’s a monster who clearly doesn’t worry about getting caught,” she said. 

Prosecuting attorney Molly Nivison said Wall’s voyeurism was “extreme.” He was “a master of his sick and twisted skill,” she said, which enabled him to avoid detection for years. 

“Most of these videos were his closest friends,” she told the court. “I think it’s hard to wrap our heads around that kind of invasion. Nothing was off limits for Mr. Wall — no location, no type of person.” 

Before receiving his sentence, Wall wept as he addressed the court. He said he “selfishly and secretly” made the recordings, causing long-term harm to his victims. 

“They were my closest friends and they didn’t deserve to be hurt,” he said. 

Pittman said no court of law can undo the damage that Wall inflicted upon his victims, but the possibility of healing remains. 

“I hope this sentence can give the victims some peace,” he said.