A California man accused of secretly recording nearly 50 nude women in tanning booths at a Planet Fitness in Arroyo Grande is facing misdemeanor charges, a situation that San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow described as a result of "lax laws."
Kyle L. Combs, 40, of Grover Beach, was charged with 12 misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy, and an arrest warrant was issued. Authorities allege that Combs filmed women from July to December of last year in the tanning booths. "The public may be justifiably disturbed to learn that, under current California law, allegations involving secretly recording multiple nude victims in private tanning booths are generally chargeable only as misdemeanors unless additional circumstances exist," the DA's office stated.
If Combs had faced initial felony charges, law enforcement would have taken him into custody immediately. Dow noted that any changes to make such conduct a felony would need to come from the California Legislature.
Prosecutors believe there may be other victims whose cases fall outside the statute of limitations. Combs' phone reportedly contained over 50 videos of 47 victims. Since April, eight women have filed lawsuits against Combs and Planet Fitness.
One lawsuit alleges that Combs was observed placing his phone into tanning booths and attempting to pick locks on changing room doors. "Secretly recording women while they are nude inside tanning booths is a deeply disturbing violation of privacy, dignity, and personal security," Dow said in a statement. "People using a gym or fitness center should never have to fear that they are being watched or recorded in one of their most private moments."
As of Saturday morning, Combs was not listed in county arrest records. A judge signed his arrest warrant, setting bail at $50,000. Dow urged any other women who used the tanning or red-light therapy rooms at the location to contact the police.