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Man Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison for Secretly Video Recording in AV Women’s Public Restrooms #LASD

(News Release - Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office)

http://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/man-sentenced-prison-secretly-recording-public-restrooms

August 18, 2015: Man Sentenced to Prison for Secretly Recording in Public Restrooms

A 38-year-old transient was sentenced today to nine years and eight months in state prison for making secret video recordings in Antelope Valley public restrooms, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami said defendant Antonio Serrano pleaded no contest today to eight counts in case MA066529: five counts of unauthorized invasion of privacy, and one count each of possession of child pornography, identity theft and loiter about toilet to solicit lewd acts.

At today’s sentencing, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Carlos A. Chung ordered the defendant to register as a sex offender for life.

Additionally, the judge granted a protective order that prevents Serrano from contacting each of his victims, as well as the Lancaster Starbucks, Chuck E. Cheese and the Antelope Valley Mall.

The prosecutor said Serrano surreptitiously recorded adults and minors in public restrooms between May 1 and July 16.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Lancaster Station.

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About the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey leads the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation. Her staff of nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members is dedicated to seeking justice for victims of crime and enhancing public safety. Last year, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office prosecuted more than 71,000 felony defendants and nearly 112,000 misdemeanor defendants.

*****LASD ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE*****

https://nixle.com/alert/5456205/

Sent: Friday, July 17, 2015

LASD Lancaster Detectives Arrested Suspect for Placing a Camera in Local Business Restroom (PHOTO ATTACHED)

On July 9, 2015, a cell phone was discovered hidden in a women’s restroom at a "Starbucks", 855 West Avenue K, Lancaster. The cell phone appeared to be in a positon to record patrons using the restroom. The Lancaster Sheriff’s Station was immediately notified of the incident. Lancaster deputies arrived at the business and recovered the cell phone from the restroom.

The cell phone was found by a mother and her child, while they were using the restroom.  The child found the cell phone taped to the sink’s pipe lining.

On Thursday, July 16, 2015, Lancaster Sheriff Station detectives in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Fraud and Cyber Crimes Bureau, were able to retrieve a photo of a suspect from the recovered cell phone and were able to identify the suspect.

Later that day, Lancaster Station detectives arrested 38-year-old Antonio Serrano for Videoing in a Bathroom without Consent.  He is a transient in the Lancaster area.  During the investigation, the detectives also discovered the suspect was in possession of a government document with a false seal, additional cell phones, and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. 

The suspect is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in Antelope Valley Superior Court on Monday, July 20, 2015.

A preliminary investigation revealed there might be numerous victims and additional locations in the Lancaster and Los Angeles areas, due to the fact that the suspect had additional cell phones and SIM cards in his possession at the time of the arrest.  The suspect also told detectives he has been video-taping women and children using the restroom for couple months.  Detectives confirmed this information, upon reviewing the videos recovered from the cell phones and SIM cards.

Lancaster Station detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating additional victims, who used this particular restroom from the time period of June 2015 through July 9th, 2015.

At this time no additional victims have been identified.

If you believe you are a victim and/or have information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Lancaster Station at (661) 948-8466.  If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Written By:

Deputy Joshua R. Stamsek

Lancaster Sheriff’s Station

501 Lancster Boulevard

Lancaster, CA 93534

(661) 948-8466

Forwarded By:

Sara Rodriguez, Deputy

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