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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Davis High School student charged with four counts of felony voyeurism released without bail

The Yakima County Juvenile Justice Center is photographed at 1728 Jerome Ave, in Yakima, Wash., Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. (Shawn Gust / Yakima Herald-Republic)
By Emily Goodell Yakima Herald-Republic

YAKIMA, Wash. – A 17-year-old Davis High School student has been charged with four counts of felony voyeurism after Yakima police say he took potentially hundreds of videos up the skirts of female students or of their clothed buttocks without their knowledge.

At the student’s arraignment Monday, Yakima County Superior Court Judge Ruth Reukauf ruled he be released to his family without posting bail, provided he follow certain rules. Bail had been set at $10,000 Friday.

The conditions of his release require the student to be supervised by an adult 24 hours a day, Reukauf also said he can’t have a cellphone, social media access or unsupervised internet access.

“I have to trust that the parents understand how serious this is and how important it is that he follows the rules,” Reukauf said.

Reukauf said the 24-hour adult supervision is for the protection of the student, as well as for the community.

Deputy prosecuting attorney Nicholas Barrett objected to release without bail, saying while the student has no other history with the court, the seriousness of the alleged offenses makes releasing him a risk.

The student’s defense lawyer, Ulvar Klein, disagreed, saying “a sense of community outrage is not a bail factor.”

The voyeurism charges stemmed from four videos reviewed by police who have identified victims. Barrett said the 17-year-old faces another potential felony voyeurism charge now that police have identified a fifth victim.

Police said the teen was suspended Wednesday. Yakima School District spokeswoman Kirsten Fitterer confirmed the student is not on campus, but said federal law prevented her from saying much else.

Speaking generally, Fitterer said in cases like this, the school makes a safety plan for victims and refers them to help outside the school if needed.

Police say the case began Wednesday after a girl told her boyfriend the 17-year-old had secretly taken a video up her skirt in class. A short time later, the suspect told school authorities he’d been assaulted and his phone was stolen. The phone was later given to police by the girl’s boyfriend.