Davidson College employee recorded women in bathrooms for years, police say

DAVIDSON, N.C. — An employee at Davidson College is accused of using a camera to secretly record inside public bathrooms on campus, school officials confirmed to Channel 9, and police say he may have been recording women for more than a decade.

The Mooresville Police Department said 49-year-old Jeremy Michael Whitworth was arrested for one count of felony secret peeping, and he was 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 college said Whitworth is charged “with acts that are very distressing.”

The Mooresville Police Department held a news conference on Thursday and gave more details on the case.

MPD said that officers executed a search warrant at his home after the arrest, and they found hard drives, computers, and cell phones that contained images and videos of women in different restrooms, including in his house and on campus.

“I can tell you that we have literally dozens and dozens of videos that go back past 15 years,” said MPD Chief Ron Campurciani.

Police say Whitworth may have done work on the side, and they’re looking for more victims who may recognize his picture.

Mooresville police said they started the investigation after being contacted by a tipster who had information about what Whitworth is accused of.

Davidson College said staffers started looking through the campus this weekend to find where a camera might have temporarily been hidden, but none were found. The school is bringing in “licensed electronics experts to help search” and the team was expected to arrive Wednesday.

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“You just feel like you have no control over the situation so I would say invariably is a big thing,” said a student-athlete. “It’s really invasive overall.”

In addition to the videos recorded on the Davidson College campus, police also found videos from Walmart, Chick-fil-A and Target, all believed to be in Mooresville.

“He’s walking around with his cell phone taking pictures and videos of women’s feet and legs,” Campurciani said.

Police said they also believe some videos were recorded in Airbnb locations that Whitworth may have rented.

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Davidson College President Douglas Hicks said he is upset by the incident and added that the school “will move with expediency to ensure every step is taken to uphold safety” on campus.

“I am deeply sorry and angry that a member of the Davidson community has allegedly committed such actions. If any acts have taken place on our campus, it is a violation of our privacy, safety and trust,” Hicks said in a statement.

Police said Whitworth bailed out of jail on a $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. “There were when I was here. I’m sure there were when my children were here. I’m sure there were when my grandfather -- but I think the college will deal with it responsibly.”

Call MPD at 704-658-9021 if you have information.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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