Starbucks Bathroom Hack Leads to Charges Against NY Man for Child Pornography Production

Police are currently investigating the discovery of another hidden camera found inside the bathroom at an Alpharetta, Georgia Starbucks location. Meanwhile, authorities in New York have accused John Towers, 54, of planting concealed cameras in a public restroom located within a local park where he worked. The U.S Attorney’s Office for Southern District of New York alleged that the hidden devices were used to capture videos and images of both prepubescent minors and adult females using the bathroom facilities. Towers reportedly employed an old cellphone, as well as ten “spy cameras,” which included items disguised as ballpoint pens or battery packs, among other things. According to court documents, more than 800 explicit videos were recorded in this manner, with over 6,000 images and video files also found online during subsequent investigations conducted by the authorities at his residence on March 19 of this year. The devices are believed to have been installed as early as July 24, 2018, until December 9, 2019. Towers has now been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of child pornography in connection with these allegations; the former offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years’ imprisonment and a maximum penalty of thirty years, while the latter charge is punishable by up to twenty years behind bars.