University of Delaware PhD student hid cameras in campus restrooms

NEWARK, Del., July 28 (UPI) -- A University of Delaware doctoral student has been arrested after police and university officials discovered he allegedly planted hidden cameras around the university's Newark campus.

Police were first alerted to the hidden cameras on June 27, when one was discovered in a women's restroom on campus. An investigation was launched and on July 24, 38-year-old Javier Mendiola-Soto was arrested and charged with 21 felony counts of violation of privacy.

Police seized roughly 1,500 video files from Mendiola-Soto's computer, which have been turned over to forensic analysts, who determined he began planting the cameras over two years ago in 2012. Thus far, investigators have identified 40 potential victims.

"It is extremely disturbing that this crime was perpetrated against our community invading the privacy of so many women on and around this campus," University of Delaware President Patrick Harker said in an official statement.

"We are taking this matter extremely seriously, cooperating with the Delaware Attorney General's office and conducting this investigation with urgency and a deep respect for the privacy of the victims, in coordination with the Middletown Police forensics team."

Mendiola-Soto, a Mexican citizen, has had his student visa revoked and is in custody without the possibility of bail.