According to Yahoo! News police in Broward County, FL arrested Robert Franco, 64, on suspicion of placing hidden video cameras in the restrooms of his martial arts studio. Police were called to Master Franco’s Taekwondo Academy after a 17-year-old student noticed two hidden cameras inside picture frames on the shelf of the ladies’ bathroom.
Local 10 reports that the student took pictures of the cameras and then confronted Franco. Police say that Franco then immediately destroyed the frames and cameras. The student then called her father and reported what had happened. The father then came to the academy and called 911.
Police investigated the scene and an arrest warrant was filed for Franco a few days later. Franco then surrendered himself to police and was booked into Broward County Jail.
Investigators have now seized Franco’s phone and computer. They claim they have recovered material on those devices that show both children and adults in the restroom of the academy.
Investigators have stated that Franco gave an explanation for the cameras, but that the explanation was not reasonable.
Pembroke Pines police are appealing for anyone who attended the academy and used the restroom there to contact the Special Victims Unit at 954-743-1637.
Franco is facing multiple charges of video voyeurism and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
In Florida video voyeurism by someone over 19 years of age can be classified as a third degree felony (per Stout Defense). The penalties for this charge include up to 12 months in jail and fines up to $5,000. People who commit video voyeurism against a child or have prior convictions can be charged with a second degree felony and face up to 15 years in prison, 15 years probation and fines up to $10,000.
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