TAMPA, Fla. — A Hillsborough County detention deputy is in jail after he was caught watching unauthorized surveillance video of naked female inmates, according to authorities.
Between May 15 and June 9, Robert Creel, Jr. watched video footage of female inmates who were naked, according to the sheriff's office. These instances were reportedly outside of his assigned responsibility as a detention deputy.
Creel accessed the videos without valid legal purpose and repeatedly rewound them to re-watch the footage, the agency said.
He was caught on June 11 and was placed on administrative leave the next day. After an investigation, Creel was arrested on Aug. 2 and will be terminated from his position.
"This behavior is a gross violation of trust and an overstep of access that will not be tolerated," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "This man's actions are a disgrace to the badge, exploiting his position to prey on individuals in vulnerable situations."
Creel worked with the sheriff's office for more than 22 years and had no disciplinary history prior to this, according to a news release.
Creel is charged with 11 counts of engaging in audio/video surveillance by accessing computer/electronics without authority. He is being held with a $27,500 bond.
