MARION, Ohio — A Marion County man entered a guilty plea after he allegedly placed hidden cameras in a family bathroom at a YMCA, according to Prosecuting Attorney Ray Grogan.
Ben Dunham, 19, pled guilty to charges of voyeurism and interception of an oral communication, the prosecuting attorney's office said.
Dunham was sentenced to 60 days in jail, five years of probation and is now required to register as a sex offender for the next 15 years.
Grogan had recommended a two-year prison sentence for Dunham but expressed his respect for the visiting judge's sentencing decision.
According to the prosecuting attorney's office, in January 2023, Dunham placed two cameras in a family bathroom at the Marion YMCA. Those cameras were disguised to appear as a towel hook and a smoke detector.
The discovery of the smoke detector camera, which had fallen from the ceiling revealing an SD card, led to Dunham's apprehension. Police, through video footage, identified Dunham installing the devices and entering the bathroom.
Further investigation revealed that Dunham had previously installed cameras at the Ohio State University Marion branch campus as well.