Boonville Police Say Middle School Teacher Will Be Charged
By: Tabnie Dozier
Updated: October 9, 2012
A Boonville Middle School teacher is under more fire after new information is revealed regarding a hidden camera in a school restroom. 30 year old Andrew Emmons is accused with placing a video camera inside of a women's faculty bathroom last month. Now investigators say they've confiscated another computer of Emmons. Those involved won't give much information away saying this case is a delicate one and talking too soon could jeopardize the investigation. But many concerned parents in Boonville say they want answers now. Investigators say they've found more damaging footage and another computer that belongs to Emmons. Mary Smith's son is a sixth grader at BMS and she went to school with Emmons. Multiple concerned parents called the Eyewitness Newsroom telling us investigators have new information which may suggest there may be more victims, but nobody who called us was willing to speak on camera. The parents who called us say police and school corporation officials have told them a second camera was found in another restroom at the school, but officials will not confirm or deny that saying they don't want to damage an on-going investigation.
Police also will not say if any of the victims are students. Emmons is currently not in jail and formal charges have yet to be filed. Investigators say they want to gather all of their information and send it to the Prosecutor's Office instead of charging Emmons one count at a time. Police say Emmons will face voyeurism charges, but the amount of charges are still being determined. The Warrick County School Corporation says it understands the desire for quick answers and plans to hold a parents' meeting to address any additional concerns once the investigation is complete. Emmons is suspended from BMS without pay.
Police also will not say if any of the victims are students. Emmons is currently not in jail and formal charges have yet to be filed. Investigators say they want to gather all of their information and send it to the Prosecutor's Office instead of charging Emmons one count at a time. Police say Emmons will face voyeurism charges, but the amount of charges are still being determined. The Warrick County School Corporation says it understands the desire for quick answers and plans to hold a parents' meeting to address any additional concerns once the investigation is complete. Emmons is suspended from BMS without pay.
Comments
To those upset that this person can "only" be charged with voyeurism...the stakes are probably higher than you think. In this case, were're not simply looking at a misdemeanor peeping tom. Hidden cameras: The state%u2019s video voyeurism law makes it a misdemeanor to photograph the private bodily areas of a person without consent. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-45-4-5(d). The penalty escalates to a felony if the photo is taken in a private area such as a restroom, shower or dressing room. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-45-4-5(b)(2). A felony charge of the voyeurism law carries penalties of up to six years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-50-2-7. And, that would be PER VICTIM
so, I guess what I am saying, is we need to be patient and let law enforcement do their job to get a quality case to the prosecution team. And, thank God the two incidents are related - I would really hate to think that there was more than one predator at this school.
In the meantime I think we should all keep the Emmons family and those directly affected by this in our prayers.
Jill J.
October 9, 2012 at 6:17 pm
To those upset that this person can "only" be charged with voyeurism...the stakes are probably higher than you think. In this case, were're not simply looking at a misdemeanor peeping tom. Hidden cameras: The state%u2019s video voyeurism law makes it a misdemeanor to photograph the private bodily areas of a person without consent. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-45-4-5(d). The penalty escalates to a felony if the photo is taken in a private area such as a restroom, shower or dressing room. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-45-4-5(b)(2). A felony charge of the voyeurism law carries penalties of up to six years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-50-2-7. And, that would be PER VICTIM
so, I guess what I am saying, is we need to be patient and let law enforcement do their job to get a quality case to the prosecution team. And, thank God the two incidents are related - I would really hate to think that there was more than on predator at this school.
In the meantime I think we should all keep the Emmons family and those directly affected by this in our prayers.
Jill J.
October 9, 2012 at 6:15 pm
