A former seasonal employee of John Ball Zoo has been sentenced to jail time after pleading guilty to taking up-skirt photos of visitors, including a minor. Steven Pook, 69, who used a phone placed in a dustpan to record under women's skirts, was handed a sentence of 180 days in jail and three years' probation, during which he must register as a sex offender, as reported by FOX17.
described in the court documents highlighted by WZZM13, the incident came to light after complaints led to police investigations, with officers eventually finding eight videos on Pook's phone, recorded without consent; one included a minor, whom Pook targeted at the zoo's reptile exhibit using vile tactics to manipulate her pose. This type of sexual exploitation of visitors shocked the community, as it infringed not only on personal privacy but also on the presumed safety and innocence of a family-oriented space. His attorney, Frank Stanley, mentioned that his client had admitted to "wrestling with a demon" and expressed regret for his actions.
During the sentencing, Kent County Circuit Judge Clay West condemned the actions that have left lasting scars on the victims, declaring, "You really can't underestimate the negative impact on how this harms young lives," a sentiment supported by MLive. Despite Pook's lack of a prior criminal record and his claim of a "good support system" from his wife and counselor, West emphasized the gravity of the violation and its horrendous nature, as noted by WZZM13.
Pook addressed the court, expressing deep remorse for his deeds, "The depth of my sorrow for what I did is beyond what I can describe," he stated, with intentions to rebuild his credibility within the community and acknowledging the lifelong impact his actions will have on the victims, as per a report by WZZM13. As part of the COBBs agreement, the six-month jail sentence for all counts will be served concurrently with a credit of four days, and Pook faces three years of probation conditions that include registration as a sex offender in compliance with the Sex Offenders Registration Act (SORA).
