A 63-year-old Marshfield man is facing serious charges after staff at a South Shore library uncovered a hidden recording device in a unisex restroom, according to police.
Cohasset police said Thomas D. Campbell was arrested Thursday and charged with video recording individuals in a state of nudity without their knowledge and with illegal wiretapping. He was held on $2,500 cash bail and arraigned Friday in Quincy District Court.
Staff at the Paul Pratt Public Library discovered the device, and a forensic review revealed video and audio of people using the restroom without their knowledge, WCVB reported. Police said at least one adult victim has been identified so far, and detectives are working to identify others. Investigators told WCVB they used digital forensic evidence along with surveillance footage to identify Campbell as the suspect.
Charges and What the Law Covers
Massachusetts classifies secret interception of communications and covert recording of nudity as criminal conduct under its wiretapping and related statutes. Jury instructions spell out what prosecutors must prove, including that the recording happened without a person’s consent, according to Mass.gov. Depending on the circumstances and the people involved, the law can be used alongside voyeurism or privacy statutes.
Library Response and Next Steps
Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley called the incident “a serious and disturbing violation of personal privacy” and credited the Paul Pratt Public Library staff for acting quickly, saying their response directly helped resolve the case, as quoted by WCVB.
Police said detectives are continuing forensic work to identify any additional victims. No further details were immediately released.
