A 32-year-old Blue Ash man has admitted in federal court to secretly planting cameras in children’s bedrooms, pleading guilty yesterday to sexually exploiting minors and attempting to record another child. The defendant, David Mitsnefes, now faces a potential prison sentence ranging from 15 to 30 years.
Prosecutors say Mitsnefes secretly filmed at least one child in a bedroom, kept the victim’s underwear in his own room and used the home’s Wi-Fi network to route footage to his phone. A forensic review of his electronic devices later revealed more than 5,000 images and about 3,000 videos of child sexual abuse material, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Ohio.
Investigation and timeline
Court records indicate the victim’s family discovered hidden cameras on multiple occasions between 2021 and 2025. In November 2025, a doorbell camera reportedly captured someone entering the home while the family was away, prompting further concern and ultimately a deeper look by authorities. Investigators executed a search, and Mitsnefes was federally charged in December 2025 after officers reviewed that doorbell footage along with what they found on his devices, according to FOX19.
Plea hearing and penalties
Mitsnefes entered his guilty plea before Senior U.S. District Judge Michael R. Barrett. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle J. Healey, with the FBI and Blue Ash police credited for their roles in the investigation. Federal officials say the prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative that coordinates federal, state and local efforts to combat child exploitation, per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Ohio.
Resources for victims and neighbors
Anyone who believes a child may have been victimized is urged to contact local law enforcement and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline at report.cybertip.org or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Neighbors and parents worried about hidden devices are advised to inspect plug-in items, smoke detectors and other common hiding spots, lock down home Wi-Fi with strong passwords and report any suspicious hardware to police.
Hoodline first covered the case when the federal complaint was unsealed in December 2025, see our earlier report on the charges for additional background. This story will be updated when a sentencing date is set.
