Man Pleads No Contest to Hiding Cameras in Ann Arbor Bathrooms
A disturbing case of hidden cameras in bathrooms has come to a resolution as a man pleaded no contest to multiple felony counts in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Erric Desean Morton, 36, was accused of secretly recording people in bathrooms at various locations throughout the city. The charges against him include possession of child pornography, using a computer to commit a crime, and capturing images of unclothed individuals.
Morton pleaded no contest to 13 of his 25 felony counts, with the remaining charges set to be dismissed at his sentencing hearing scheduled for December 6. The plea came after police seized Morton’s recording equipment and conducted an expedited forensic audit of his electronic devices, leading to additional charges being filed against him.
This case originated from an anonymous tip received by the Ann Arbor Police Department in July 2022, alerting them to the presence of hidden cameras in bathrooms. Following an investigation, Morton was identified as the suspect, and officers executed a search warrant at his residence. The subsequent analysis of his electronic devices revealed approximately 200 hidden camera videos recorded between January and July 2022.
It is deeply troubling that this is not Morton’s first offense involving secret recording. In 2015, he was arrested for similar crimes and found to have over 7,000 illicit videos on his computer and external hard drive. Images found in his possession indicated that he had a device to covertly capture photos under women’s skirts using a camera attached to his shoe.
During sentencing in 2016, Morton was given the opportunity to clear his record under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act, a law designed to give young offenders a chance to reform. However, he went on to commit further offenses, leading to his recent arrest and charges.
The impact of Morton’s actions has been significant, with nine adult victims identified in the initial batch of recordings and six more victims discovered in new recordings. The invasion of privacy caused by hidden cameras is deeply distressing, and it is crucial to address these crimes seriously to protect people from such violations.
As this case demonstrates, the usage of hidden cameras to invade personal privacy is an alarming violation that can cause significant harm. Authorities must remain vigilant in investigating and prosecuting such cases to ensure the safety and security of individuals who unknowingly become victims.
