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Middle-School Principal Charged For Planting Camera In Girls Locker Room

Posted: July 6, 2012
Middle-School Principal Charged For Planting Camera In Girls Locker Room

Middle-School Principal Denton County

A middle-school principal has been charged in a case involving a video recording taken in a high school girls’ locker room last winter.

The principal, Wendee Long, of Denton County, Texas, was indicted on two counts last Thursday, according to The Star-Telegram. One count is a felony for improper photography or visual recording, and the other is for unlawful interception, use or disclosure of wire, oral or electronic communications (also known as wiretapping).

The felony sentence ranges from 180 days to two years, as well as fines up to $10,000, while the second charge is a second-degree felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 as well.

Long was released from the Denton County Jail after posting a $25,000 bond on Tuesday. WFAA reports that the middle-school principal’s daughter reportedly planted the cameras at an Argyle High School girl’s locker room earlier this school year.

Court documents show that Long used her 17-year-old, Caydan Long, who hid a cell phone camera inside the locker room during an away basketball game in Sanger.

Long’s two daughters played for the team, and the principal was allegedly upset with the team’s coach for being too stern with the players. She was hoping that the coach, Skip Townsend, 61, would yell at the girls during a half-time meeting during a February game. They assure, however, that nothing inappropriate was recorded.

WFAA notes that Long’s attorney, Daniel Peugh, states his client has not committed a crime. He wrote in a statement to the network that:

“She has not violated any law. We do not believe anything has taken place that should involve the justice system.”

Do you think that middle-school principal Wendee Long should be charged for having her daughter  hide a camera in the girls’ locker room?



Comments


12 Archived Responses to “ Middle-School Principal Charged For Planting Camera In Girls Locker Room ”

  1. Leah Dondero
    Jul 6, 2012

    Lol it doesn't sound like she was doing it to be a pervert. Although it was obviously wrong she wasnt trying to creep on young girls and it seems like she did it to try to protect them. Instead of jailing her they should have just released her from being principle for violating civil rights. Seems to me like law enforcement should be focusing on the people who have really done something wrong like rapists or murderers. Besides if state police is going to charge her for "improper photography" and "wiretapping" shouldn't we then look at our own government who does the same thing daily to law abiding citizens?

  2. Doug Adams
    Jul 6, 2012

    Well said Leah!

  3. Melissa Brown
    Jul 6, 2012

    Reading the headline I thought I was getting ready to read a story about some perverted principal. She did not do anything perverse at all. Granted, she shouldn't have done it in the first place I do think her intentions were to help the kids not hurt them. Terminate her from her position and drop it. It seems completely ridiculous to follow through and spend money on a trial when she obviously just made a foolish mistake.

  4. Jacobo Flores
    Jul 6, 2012

    She's the Principal if she had an issue with the coaches she should have brought them up its as easy as that. She just did something stupid and illegal and she should pay the price. Imagine if it was a male principal we'd be all over him…

  5. Brian Parent
    Jul 6, 2012

    This is why we have 5% of the worlds population but 24% of the worlds prison population. We put people in prison for stupid crap.

  6. Diane Brymer
    Jul 6, 2012

    If they go after the mom, the daughter should be charged as an accomplice.

  7. Anonymous
    Jul 7, 2012

    If you let her get away with this crime, the next one that will happen while you are in a dressing room having your rights taken away by someone else. And the courts won't do anything abiout it. Just think before you make comments like this if she were to get off the criminals win again.

  8. Diana Tinoco Renteria
    Jul 7, 2012

    maybe she should of used a voice recorder instead of a video camera than it would not of seemed to skeezy.

  9. Diana Tinoco Renteria
    Jul 7, 2012

    Good intentions gone wrong.

  10. Ken Gaynor
    Jul 7, 2012

    What we – the readers, reporters, and others who are not directly involved in the case – think is of little relevance. What is the law? None of us can render an effective, considered opinion until and unless we have a great deal more information than we have by simply reviewing one reporter's story. Let the accusations be what they may; let the offense and defense face off in court, and may the one who is right win.

  11. Rick Herndon
    Jul 8, 2012

    Yeah, whatever the case, trying this in the court of public opinion the way this site is doing it is not what *I* would want. Talk about not being able to face one's accusers….

  12. Gregory J. Toma
    Jul 12, 2012

    Good point, Diana. Nor would it have been illegal. As long as you are not recording something with an expected privacy (i.e. telephone call, patient privaleged conversation, etc.), then it is legal and easy. And since she expected to record verbal abuse and not physical by the coach, she had no reason to legitimately think a poor quality video would be more effective than a higher quality audio. She has no excuse for not recognizing that this was a criminal act, and a big one at that. This excuse is too convenient when considering all her other obviously available and better options. What if a teacher or janitor put a hidden camera in the girls locker room and claimed it was to catch those responsible for the recent string of vandalized lockers and stolen property that had been occuring? You can see where this could be dangerous. She must be punished. Stupid criminals are just as guilty as malicious ones.