By Mark D. Wilson
Austin American-Statesman
AUSTIN, Texas — Police have issued an arrest warrant for a former Austin Fire Department lieutenant accused using a spy camera to film a female firefighter in the showers at a fire station in downtown Austin in September.
James William Baker II, 52, faces a charge of invasive visual recording, a state jail felony punishable by 180 days to two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000, according to an arrest affidavit filed on Thursday.
The affidavit said the female victim told investigators that she planned to take a shower at the department’s Station 1, 401 E. Fifth St. on Sept. 4.
As she headed to the locker room, she saw Baker walking out. The woman told police the two spoke briefly before he continued on his way and she walked into the locker room and undressed, according to the report.
When the woman finished showering, she spotted an unusual blue light across the room that was pointed at the shower area.
“The victim said the light appeared to have been coming from a rolled up cord of Christmas lights that were lying on the shelf,” the affidavit said. “Investigating the source the victim found that the light was emitting from an H2 1080P spy camera that had been concealed in a rolled cord of Christmas lights.”
The report said Baker approached the woman about seven hours later and asked to have a private conversation, saying “I think you know what we need to talk about.”
The victim said Baker told her the camera was his and apologized, then tried to bargain with her to get it back.
“The victim said Baker offered to retire or transfer from their department. The victim said baker also offered to give her the camera’s memory card in return for the camera,” the affidavit said.
The woman refused to give the camera back.
About two weeks later, Austin police detectives reviewed footage from the camera and saw Baker enter the woman’s locker room around 3 a.m. and set up the camera. The woman came into the locker room as Baker left. Their short conversation was also caught by the camera, along with the woman undressing, showering and discovering the device.
The report said that Baker admitted to placing the camera in the locker room, and said that he’d done it before. It was unclear whether any other women were recorded.
Baker abruptly retired in September as the investigation was underway.
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