FBI seeking help in identifying potential victims at NJ scout camps

[FireStone]

One of the things I've been struggling with is this "how to" part of it, the possibility of training adults to look for recording devices. Which apparently is harder than it would seem, because Camp Winnebago had found a recording device in the trading post bathroom in the summer of 2021 and despite then starting to regularly search bathrooms, they clearly missed new devices being placed and used.

So it sound like either devices are tricky to find or that the camp just gave up on their searches after a while. Because clearly this guy was able to resume recording and continued to do so in the exact same bathroom.

I don't know what the answer is. But it seems like it's way too easy for this to happen, and we need some sort of plan to combat this moving forward.

[InquisitiveScouter]

5 hours ago, FireStone said:

One of the things I've been struggling with is this "how to" part of it, the possibility of training adults to look for recording devices. Which apparently is harder than it would seem, because Camp Winnebago had found a recording device in the trading post bathroom in the summer of 2021 and despite then starting to regularly search bathrooms, they clearly missed new devices being placed and used.

So it sound like either devices are tricky to find or that the camp just gave up on their searches after a while. Because clearly this guy was able to resume recording and continued to do so in the exact same bathroom.

I don't know what the answer is. But it seems like it's way too easy for this to happen, and we need some sort of plan to combat this moving forward.

I vote to bring back public hanging.

[jcousino]

that sick 

there are ads all over the internet for some very small system.($100 to 200)

not sure how very much better they would get if you were willing to drop a few thousands.

Sadly, kids were used. even at time they were unaware.

not sure even with an active search (when hourly) a camp could protect itself fully. 

Sadly, more lawsuits again the camps (not sure their level of fault)

john

 

[RememberSchiff]

"there are ads all over the internet for some very small system.($100 to 200) "

Even less than that.

"...a foreign exchange student and aspiring actress ...alleges that while staying in a West Virginia home and still a child she was surreptitiously recorded in the bathroom using a camera disguised as a clothes hook, which she says was purchased on Amazon.

The man alleged to have been responsible is facing trial."

Source:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67652317

Additionally, the victim is suing the seller Amazon and manufacturer "John Doe".  There is some description of the Amazon process towards becoming an Amazon Prime item - Product Safety Team,  Dangerous Goods Team, Amazon Fulfillment Centers,...

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.wvsd.235914/gov.uscourts.wvsd.235914.10.0.pdf

Amazon's failed dismissal attempt.

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/west-virginia/wvsdce/3:2023cv00046/235914/24/

[yknot]

1 hour ago, RememberSchiff said:

"there are ads all over the internet for some very small system.($100 to 200) "

Even less than that.

"...a foreign exchange student and aspiring actress ...alleges that while staying in a West Virginia home and still a child she was surreptitiously recorded in the bathroom using a camera disguised as a clothes hook, which she says was purchased on Amazon.

The man alleged to have been responsible is facing trial."

Source:

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67652317

Additionally, the victim is suing the seller Amazon and manufacturer "John Doe".  There is some description of the Amazon process towards becoming an Amazon Prime item - Product Safety Team,  Dangerous Goods Team, Amazon Fulfillment Centers,...

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.wvsd.235914/gov.uscourts.wvsd.235914.10.0.pdf

Amazon's failed dismissal attempt.

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/west-virginia/wvsdce/3:2023cv00046/235914/24/

There are two similar cases involving scouting within the past year in my area. In one case it was youth. 

[AwakeEnergyScouter]

Saw this today, adding it here in case this scanner tip is helpful to someone out there keeping scouts safe.

Sounds like looking for lenses is the best way. Also makes sense in that you can't get rid of the lens no matter how small the electronics are.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/22/how-to-find-a-hidden-camera-in-a-hotel-room-or-house-we-tested-5-ways-.html

[RememberSchiff]

Jan 25, 2024:

A former Boy Scout volunteer, David Lee Nelson, 41, of Redmond, Washington,  admitted hiding two cameras in a S Bar F Scout Ranch bathroom in July of 2021.

"Nelson hid the cameras in paper towel dispensers and positioned them so they would capture the interior of the bathroom, including a shower stall. 

One camera was discovered when a scout leader and scouts were cleaning out one of the restroom stalls. A search uncovered another camera, and leaders then called the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department. Later in the day, a scout leader spotted Nelson holding his cell phone near the bathrooms.

The St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Drake is prosecuting the case."

Nelson is facing a "mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, followed by a term of supervised release of up to life".

More details at source:

https://www.tampafp.com/boy-scout-volunteer-from-washington-state-admits-hiding-cameras-in-missouri-camp-bathrooms/

[RememberSchiff]

May 2, 2024:

"ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel on Thursday sentenced a former Boy Scout volunteer to 22 years in prison for hiding cameras in bathrooms at a St. Francois County, Missouri scout camp.

Judge Sippel also ordered David Lee Nelson to pay $55,000 in special assessments that will go to a fund for victims and prevention programs and $6,810 to pay for counseling for the victims in this case. After he gets out of prison, Nelson will be on supervised release for life, with special conditions that include a prohibition against any contact with minors without permission.

Nelson hid two cameras in bathrooms at the S Bar F Scout Ranch in St. Francois County in July of 2021 while working there as a volunteer. Nelson hid the cameras in paper towel dispensers, positioning them so they would capture a shower stall and other portions of the bathroom. 

One camera was discovered when a scout leader and scouts were cleaning out one of the restroom stalls. A search uncovered another camera, and leaders then called the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department. When questioned later by a sheriff’s deputy after being spotted near the bathrooms, Nelson lied and said he was looking for a cell phone charger that he’d left in the stall. 

During Thursday’s hearing, victims and their parents said Nelson was supposed to be protecting the scouts and was supposed to be someone children could trust. Nelson’s crimes, they said, have now left them unable to trust others. The victims also said they now experience fear and discomfort every time they try to use a public bathroom. "

...

More at source:

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmo/pr/former-boy-scout-volunteer-sentenced-22-years-prison-hiding-cameras-camp-bathrooms