Not guilty plea in peeping case

A former guard at the U.S. Courthouse complex pleaded not guilty in court Monday to four counts of felony voyeurism charges stemming from his alleged use of high-powered security cameras to spy inside the bedrooms of a condominium and hotel.

Darin Earl Wanless, 32, appeared before Superior Court Judge Michael Price, who scheduled the case for trial on Nov. 19.

According to court records, Wanless used rooftop cameras to watch women undress in the West 809 condominiums at Main Avenue and Lincoln Street and at the Davenport Hotel, located a block from the courthouse at Sprague Avenue and Lincoln.

Federal investigators determined that Wanless made inappropriate use of the security cameras at the federal courthouse on 22 occasions between May 15 and June 11, court documents state.

Wanless was fired by his employer, Secure Solutions LLC, immediately after another guard reported the alleged conduct in early June. The company, based in Florida, has the contract to provide security guards at the courthouse and adjoining post office.

The case was investigated by agents from the Federal Protective Service and reviewed by the U.S. attorney’s office, which forwarded the case to Spokane County.

Wanless, of Cheney, could face up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine if convicted on the felony voyeurism charges.