A former Greater Cincinnati high school assistant softball coach is facing charges after allegedly using a hidden camera, which was disguised as a Bluetooth speaker, to record underage students in a state of nudity. Gordon B. Cordell III, aged 48, was indicted on four counts of illegal use of minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, two counts of voyeurism, and one count of possessing criminal tools, as announced by Clinton County Common Pleas Court.
The indictment suggests that Cordell, who had served as a junior varsity softball coach and sports photographer at Wilmington High School for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, is accused of committing these offenses between January and April 2023. Court documents, as stated by FOX19, allege that he managed to secretly film the minors during this span. Cordell had apparently passed official background checks prior to his hire, checks that "did not reveal any past issues of concern," according to a statement by district officials obtained by FOX19.
Further details by the Clinton County Prosecutor's Office disclosed that Cordell was booked into county jail on August 16, with a bond set at $75,000 cash or surety and an additional $25,000 recognizance bond. "Upon his arrest, the district cut all ties with Mr. Cordell as a coach and athletic photographer," the Wilmington City Schools Superintendent, Tim Dettwiller, conveyed in a statement to the News Journal. The conditions of the bond include prohibiting contact with any alleged victims.
The use of the Bluetooth-speaker camera and the associated digital storage media in the recording of minors has additionally prompted a forfeiture specification, allowing investigators to seize the equipment said to have been used in the crimes. Clinton County Prosecutor Brian Shidaker confirmed the ongoing pretrial process, with Cordell's appearance in court scheduled for September 12. District officials also reiterated that, as of their knowledge, no hidden video recording devices have been found in school facilities and no students have filed complaints against Cordell. This information has been corroborated by reports from both LOCAL12 and FOX19.
