GLENDALE, Ariz. — A Glendale teacher was arrested Monday after he allegedly set up hidden cameras in a changing room and then searched the pockets of students who discovered the concealed camera equipment.
Estevan Carreon, 53, is facing criminal charges after he invited a group of students to come work on a media project at Independence High School during spring break.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Maestro de Glendale acusado de instalar cámaras ocultas en el vestidor
Court records show the project involved students changing outfits, which was done in a room attached to the school's media room.
One student noticed a hidden camera device inside the changing room, removed it and kept the camera hidden from the teacher. The student informed other teenage students about the camera and the group eventually found two more cameras in the changing room, records show.
Carreon allegedly accused the students of removing the devices and began to pull each student aside to have them turn out their pockets.
One of the students was able to leave the school with one of the cameras and notified their parents. Police investigators reviewed the contents of the camera's SD card and allegedly found videos of the students undressing.
The card also reportedly contained a video showing the teacher setting up and removing the cameras from the changing room, records show.
The students told police they had never used these types of spy cameras before for their media class.
Glendale police said the involved students "did the right thing" in how they reacted to finding the cameras and commended them for their "brave" actions.
Carreon was recently booked into the Maricopa County jail and is facing charges of voyeurism and surreptitious recording.
The Glendale Union High School District said officials are working with police regarding this matter and have placed Carreon on administrative leave.
Police said investigators are still in the process of reviewing materials connected to the suspect.
UP TO SPEED
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.