A Maryland high school employee has been charged with 12 counts of abuse of a minor after investigators found videos of female students in various stages of undress in a school changing room. James Mulhern III, a media services technician at Walter Johnson High School in Montgomery County, now faces these additional charges following an expanded investigation.
The case began on April 7 when two students discovered a video camera in the control booth of the school's theater. After reviewing the memory card, they found recordings from inside the girls' changing room and alerted school administrators.
Police stated that footage showed an adult male placing the camera in the room before leaving. The school principal identified the man as Mulhern. Detectives executed search warrants at the high school and Mulhern's home, seizing electronic devices and other evidence.
The newly recovered videos, some dating back to 2015, led investigators to identify eight more alleged victims, expanding the case from the four victims initially identified when Mulhern was first charged in April. Authorities indicated that the expanded evidence increased prosecutors' concerns.
Mulhern appeared in court and was released on a $100,000 unsecured personal bond. Conditions of his release include staying away from Walter Johnson High School, having no contact with minors, and only supervised contact with his 4-year-old son.
Under Maryland law, each count of abuse of a minor carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. If convicted on all 12 counts, Mulhern could face a potential sentence of up to 300 years.