PICKERINGTON, Ohio — A custodian with the Pickerington Local School District was arrested on multiple counts of voyeurism on Monday, according to the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office said it was informed about an employee with the school district who found a hidden cellphone in a staff bathroom at Toll Gate Elementary School.
According to the sheriff's office, 63-year-old Edward Dorst placed the phone in the bathroom with the intent of recording other employees without their consent. It appears no students have been involved or recorded.
Dorst, who has been with the district since 2015, was arrested and taken to Fairfield County Jail. He is charged with several counts of voyeurism.
The sheriff's office said Dorst placed the phone in the bathroom in September.
“It was inside a container, or a box and the concern was he was recording them while they used that bathroom,” said Sheriff Alex Lape.
Sheriff Lape said they are still investigating this incident, and the department will investigate it fully.
“I feel for them and this is an invasion of privacy. It’s a disgusting thing. The activity this individual took on their own,” said Sheriff Lape. “This goes against societal norms. This is not behavior we see on a regular basis and it’s concerning. We are going to address it appropriately."
10TV reached out to the school district for a comment.
A spokesperson said in part “We take these allegations very seriously and have taken immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of our school community. The staff member involved will not return to the school or any District facility while the investigation is ongoing."
The sheriff's office said they are still going through all the data on the cellphone.
Dorst was placed on administrative leave. He is charged with seven counts of voyeurism and seven counts of criminal tools.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 740-652-7911.