A 43-year-old Blue Ash man is in jail after prosecutors say he carried on a sexual relationship with a teenager for years and secretly recorded thousands of videos with hidden cameras, including one tucked inside a smoke detector.
Malcolm Williams is charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and voyeurism and is being held ahead of an arraignment set for Saturday morning in Hamilton County court.
According to court documents described by WKRC, the alleged abuse began in 2015, when the victim was 13, and continued over a four-year span. A later investigation uncovered hidden cameras inside an apartment on Hunt Road between 2023 and 2025, which investigators say were controlled through an app.
Investigators told WKRC they counted nearly 3,300 videos and almost 200 recorded conversations linked to those devices. Some of that footage allegedly shows the victim undressed.
Charges and Ohio law
Under Ohio law, voyeurism and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor can bring serious penalties, including potential felony-level charges and mandatory sex-offender registration. As outlined in the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2907, the exact classification and sentencing range depend on the victim’s age and the details of the alleged conduct.
Prosecutors will decide which specific counts to pursue after reviewing the evidence presented at arraignment or, if needed, to a grand jury.
Similar investigations nearby
Hidden-camera cases have surfaced across the area in recent months, a trend that experts link to the low cost and small size of modern surveillance gadgets. In a separate Blue Ash case last December, prosecutors said a different man admitted installing multiple miniature cameras in teens’ bedrooms over several years, according to FOX19, underscoring how easily such devices can be concealed in everyday spaces.
What’s next
Williams remains in custody as the case moves through Hamilton County courts. Court filings reviewed by WKRC form the basis of the allegations against him.
At Saturday’s arraignment, a judge is expected to set bond and schedule future court dates if prosecutors formally lodge the charges outlined in the complaint.
