Schenectady Man Sentenced To State Prison For Taking Intimate Photos and Videos of Coworker

Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that a 61-year-old Schenectady man who recorded photos and videos of a coworker without their knowledge is heading to state prison.

Joseph Munafo was sentenced by the Honorable Roger McDonough Friday to serve two to six years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Unlawful Surveillance in the Second Degree.

The victim, who had worked with Munafo for 20 years, observed him in the act of recording underneath her clothing at work and reported it to Colonie Police on Oct. 24, 2023. Colonie Police launched an investigation and found evidence on his cellphone that Munafo captured hundreds of photos and videos of the woman from 2022 until October 2023 and at several locations in Albany and Colonie. Munafo was arrested on Jan. 4, 2024 when he turned himself in to Colonie Police.

Before sentencing, the victim delivered a statement in which she detailed Munafo's actions.

"His behavior became increasingly inappropriate and made me uncomfortable on a daily basis," she said. "He was always trying to hug me or touch me in some way. Even when I told him he was making me uncomfortable, he would somehow convince me that I was overreacting. To me, he is the worst kind of predator. The kind that earns your trust and pretends to care, all so he can get some kind of sick sexual gratification from it."

An order of protection was issued for the victim, and Munafo will be required to register with the NYS sex offender registry upon completion of his sentence.

Assistant District Attorney and Special Victims Unit Bureau Chief Ariel Fallon prosecuted the case.