Riverview man arrested after spying on employees in marijuana facility bathroom: HCSO
APOLLO BEACH, Fla. - A Riverview man, who works at an Apollo Beach marijuana cultivation facility, is under arrest for spying on co-workers in the bathroom.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said 27-year-old Christopher Scipio used a camera to record people in private moments in the bathroom inside the Verano Grow Facility, which cultivates marijuana for the retailer MUV.
Deputies said they received a call for service from the facility on June 30, 2023 after someone discovered a cellphone hidden under the sink, which was recording in the direction of the toilet.
"It's disgusting," said Casey Minuto with HCSO. "Like you kind of think, ‘who would do something like this?' Invade someone's privacy and such an intimate, personal moment?"
Detectives found that the cellphone contained explicit videos of approximately 17 victims.
Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
HCSO identified the cellphone owner as Scipio. After deputies seized the phone as evidence, they say Scipio tried to report his phone stolen in an effort to erase its data.
A warrant was issued for Scipio, and he was taken into custody on Feb. 1 after the six-month investigation. He is being held in the Hillsborough County jail on a $72,000 bond.
"Our detectives for the last few months have been working tirelessly to piece this together, uncover footage, contact victims and let them know," said Minuto.
Scipio has been charged with the following:
• 31 counts of video voyeurism
• Tampering with physical evidence
• Unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
More charges may be forthcoming.
"This man's actions are repulsive and disgraceful. We will not tolerate this invasion of privacy and exploitation in Hillsborough County," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I want to commend the victim who came forward, as her actions likely prevented others from becoming victims.
The non-profit, Protect All Children From Trafficking, said one challenge in stopping further embarrassment for victims is that it's not yet against federal law to post videos of others' intimate moments.
Hillsborough County deputies say they aren't yet sure if videos were shared online.
"Even taking down child sexual abuse material online is difficult," said PACT spokesperson Alex Delgado. "To try and take it down for an adult is even more difficult."
In this case, all the charges are for secretly recording someone older than 19. Deputies say Scipio was snuffed out by a female co-worker who reported it to higher-ups, who brought in deputies.
"I feel terrible for them," said Minuto. "I would be mortified and embarrassed over something that's so private. It's just out there for some disgusting person to see."
MUV says Scipio was immediately fired.
Detectives believe there could be additional victims in this case. If anyone has any information, please call 813-247-8200.