A Davidson College employee is accused of using a camera to secretly record public restrooms on campus, school officials confirmed to Channel 9, and police say he may have been recording women for more than a decade.
Mooresville Police said 49-year-old Jeremy Michael Whitworth was arrested on one felony count of secret peeping and taken to jail on Nov. 2.
According to Davidson College, Whitworth was a member of the school’s facilities staff and police confirmed he was an electrician on campus.
The council said Whitworth is accused of “acts that are deeply distressing.”
Mooresville police held a news conference Thursday and provided more details about the case.
MPD said officers executed a search warrant at his home after the arrest and found hard drives, computers and cellphones containing images and videos of women in several restrooms, including at his home and on campus.
“I can tell you that we literally have dozens and dozens of videos going back 15 years,” said MPD Chief Ron Campurciani.
Police say Whitworth may have done additional work and they are looking for more victims who may recognize his photo.
Mooresville police said they began the investigation after being contacted by a tipster who had information about what Whitworth is accused of.
Davidson College said staffers searched the campus over the weekend to discover where a camera may have been temporarily hidden, but none were found. The school is calling in “recognized electronics experts to assist in the search” and the team is expected to arrive on Wednesday.
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“You just feel like you have no control over the situation, so I would say it’s always something big,” said one student-athlete. “It’s generally really invasive.”
In addition to the videos shot on the Davidson College campus, police also found videos from Walmart, Chick-fil-A and Target, all believed to be in Mooresville.
“He walks around with his cell phone taking pictures and videos of women’s feet and legs,” Campurciani said.
Police also said they believe some of the videos were recorded at Airbnb locations that Whitworth may have rented.
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Douglas Hicks, president of Davidson College, said he was upset by the incident and added that the school “will act expeditiously to ensure every step is taken to maintain safety” on campus.
“I am deeply sorry and angry that a member of the Davidson community would have committed such acts. When actions occur on our campus, it is a violation of our privacy, security and trust,” Hicks said in a statement.
Police say Whitworth has been released from jail on $10,000 bond.
“Five generations of my family came to Davidson, including two of my children,” said Lisa Boswell, a Davidson alum.
Boswell said she was disappointed but not surprised it happened.
“There are creeps everywhere,” she said. “They were there when I was here. I’m sure it was that way when my kids were here. I am sure that was also the case with my grandfather, but I think the council will deal with it responsibly.”
No additional details have been released.
This is a development story. Come back with wsoctv.com for updates.
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