(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Wright County.)

July 15, a jury in Wright County convicted Randall Roiger, 45, of Cokato of interference with privacy – a gross misdemeanor – for installing a camera in a tanning booth at Snap Fitness in Annandale.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office and Annandale Police Department were made aware of the camera in January 2019 when a 42-year-old woman noticed a concealed camera in the tanning booth. In the criminal complaint filed with the Tenth Judicial District, Roiger claimed the camera was installed because he wanted to make sure the individuals had purchased tanning booth minutes and quit watching once it was confirmed or the people began to undress.

The Snap Fitness gym in Annandale remains open and still lists Roiger as the owner/general manager.

In January 2021, the woman who made the allegation against Roiger filed a civil lawsuit against him and Snap Fitness, a nationwide chain based in Chanhassen. She claims in the suit that Roiger watched her as she repeatedly removed her clothing without knowing she was being watched. She is seeking at least $50,000 in damages and claimed she was suffering both physically and emotionally from loss of dignity, fear of public bathrooms, embarrassment and feelings of paranoia.

The civil case is scheduled to be heard in March 2022. Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes said Friday his office is still investigating what sentence it will seek the court to impose on Roiger. Tenth District Court Judge Stephen Halsey is scheduled to deliver the sentence  Aug. 6.