A West Virginia high school principal has been arrested after investigators allegedly discovered four hidden recording devices in areas where female students changed clothes.
Eric Michael James, 53, the principal of Brooke High School, faces felony charges involving the intentional interception of electronic communications and entering a nonresidential area with the intent to commit a crime.
He was being held at the Northern Regional Jail on a $100,000 cash-only bond, WTOV9 reported.
According to Brooke County Sheriff Richard Beatty, the investigation began after an alert custodian discovered what appeared to be an ink pen inside a girls’ changing area.
The custodian reportedly took the suspicious object home and later realized it was actually a recording device. He immediately turned it over to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies and West Virginia State Police then searched Brooke High School and the nearby middle school.
Investigators allegedly discovered four devices: two in a room used by the school’s dance team, one in the girls’ varsity locker room, and another in the girls’ physical education locker room.
Even more disturbing, Sheriff Beatty said investigators found footage allegedly showing James placing one of the devices and adjusting its angle.
“When we opened up that first device, there was actual footage of him setting it in place and adjusting the camera angle to be sure he was getting what he was looking for,” Beatty said.
Investigators reportedly stopped viewing the footage after the first frame revealed a female victim. All four devices were then sent to the West Virginia State Police forensic laboratory in Morgantown for a complete examination.
Authorities also searched James’ office, his school-issued phone, and his Marshall County residence. Electronic devices seized from his home are also being analyzed.
Officials have not yet determined how long the alleged surveillance operation had been underway or how many female students may have been recorded in compromising situations.
Additional charges could be filed once investigators finish reviewing the devices.
Brooke County Superintendent Jeffrey Crook immediately removed James from the school and suspended him indefinitely pending further proceedings.
“Our main priority is our kids,” Crook said. “The kids feel betrayed. I think we all feel a little bit betrayed by this.”
Police conducted additional sweeps of restrooms, locker rooms, stadium facilities, and other schools in the district. Officials said those locations were cleared and no additional devices were found.
James had served as principal of Brooke High School since June 2023. Before taking the position, he reportedly worked as a principal, physical education and health teacher, and athletic director at schools in West Virginia and Ohio.
A Brooke High School student has already filed a civil lawsuit against James and the Brooke County Board of Education.
The complaint alleges that minor female students were secretly recorded while changing, showering, and using the restroom. Those allegations have not yet been proven in court.
If James posts bond, authorities said he will be placed on home confinement and required to wear an electronic monitoring device.
The allegations represent a horrifying betrayal of students and parents who trusted school officials to protect children, not secretly violate their most basic privacy.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/09/principal-arrested-after-four-hidden-cameras-allegedly-found/
No comments:
Post a Comment