On April 4, 2017 a staff member at CES located a suspicious
electronic device in a staff restroom at the school. After contacting law enforcement authorities,
the device was determined to be a miniature video camera. Unfortunately, the camera had been concealed
in a manner in which to record persons using the toilet facilities.
School Board and law enforcement personnel from the
Chiefland Police Department and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office immediately
began a criminal investigation.
Investigators realized that a similar incident had been reported during
the 2016 school year. They quickly
identified Robert Perez as a suspect.
The officers were able to develop probable cause to arrest Perez for two
counts of Video Voyeurism. These are
felony charges and Perez remains in the Levy County Jail on a $700,000.00
bond.
Subsequently, investigators executed a search warrant at
Perez’s residence. A number of items
containing potential evidence were recovered during the search. Those items will take a significant amount
of time to review. Additionally, law enforcement officers have thoroughly
searched all the restrooms at CES and did not discover any additional cameras. Investigators determined Perez targeted staff
bathrooms to set up his video equipment. No credible evidence has been uncovered
that any children were targeted for videoing by Perez at this point in the
investigation.
At this time we believe that Robert Perez was solely
responsible for both camera incidents. Perez
has been placed on leave without pay and due process procedures are being
followed for termination. Perez has no
prior disciplinary issues since he began his employment with the Levy County
School Board in 9-9-2010.
We do not know the identities or the number of potential
victims who may have been recorded during these criminal acts. Superintendent Edison has spoken personally
to State Attorney Bill Cervone about these cases. State Attorney Cervone assured the
Superintendent that his office will take every step possible to protect the
identities of all of the victims and prevent release of the videos after the
completion of the prosecution.
The School Board has and will continue to cooperate fully
with law enforcement and the State Attorney.
Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, much of the information
is not available to us. However, we have
been assured by investigators that they will provide as much information to us
as possible throughout the investigation.
Any further inquiries should be made to Candy Dean,
Assistant Superintendent, at the School Board of Levy County at 486-5231.