A third-party vendor custodian was arrested Tuesday night after a member of the Wilmington College women’s soccer team spotted him hiding in the ceiling of the Scheve Athletic Center locker room to photograph players as they changed. Jayson Barker, of Jeffersonville, Ohio, was booked into the Clinton County Jail on 11 counts of voyeurism. The incident prompted the Ohio college to terminate its contract with the cleaning service.
Cell Phone Flash Betrays Custodian Hiding in Ceiling
Campus Police Detain Suspect After 9:40 p.m. Call
Wilmington police responded to the Scheve Athletic Center at approximately 9:40 p.m. Tuesday. A soccer player had noticed someone observing the team from above, according to an incident report detailed by WXIX. Campus safety officers detained Barker at the scene until municipal law enforcement arrived.
Eleven Players Targeted During Locker Room Change
According to an affidavit filed in Clinton County Municipal Court and cited by WXIX, campus security reported that 11 girls were changing inside the locker room when they observed a phone emerge from the drop ceiling. A camera flash followed, indicating a photo or video was being captured.
Bond Posted Ahead of October Court Date
Barker was charged with 11 counts of voyeurism, according to Wilmington police records. He was initially held at a nearby detention facility on a $22,000 cash or surety bond. Court records show he has since posted bail and been released.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. in Clinton County Municipal Court. Investigators are reviewing evidence to determine whether additional charges will be filed against him.
College Severs Ties With Scioto Cleaning Service
Wilmington College identified Barker as an employee of Scioto, a third-party custodial contractor, through Randall Sarvis, the college’s associate vice president of communications and public relations, as reported by WXIX. Following the arrest, school officials announced that the institution severed ties with the cleaning vendor.
Counseling Services Deployed for Affected Students
In an official statement, Wilmington College emphasized student safety. “The College’s paramount concern is the safety and well-being of its students,” the school said. “We have been providing counseling and other support services for the affected students since Tuesday night and are taking measures to ensure that no student’s safety or well-being is compromised.”
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