A West Virginia principal has been suspended and charged with multiple felony counts after officials discovered recording devices in girls' locker rooms at Brooke High School in Wellsburg.
Eric James, 53, was arrested Wednesday and charged Thursday with two felony counts: intentionally intercepting or attempting to intercept wire, oral or electronic communications, and breaking and entering a nonresidence. Officials reported finding four devices in the female physical education locker rooms, including a separate area used by the school's dance team.
Brooke County Schools were alerted to a criminal investigation on Wednesday after students were released. School security officers, staff, and law enforcement removed the devices from campus. Additional devices were reportedly confiscated at James' home.
James is being held at the Northern Regional Jail in Marshall County, West Virginia, on a $100,000 bond. The school system stated that student safety, security, and privacy are fundamental responsibilities and that conduct compromising these will not be tolerated. The school system is cooperating with law enforcement and conducting its own investigation.
The school system plans to meet with students, parents, and staff to offer support as the investigations continue.