A Columbia man is accused of hiding cameras inside tanning booths at a Planet Fitness while he worked there as a trainer.
Kenneth Steele, 56, faces charges of invasion of privacy and domestic assault.
According to a probable cause statement, Columbia Police received reports of secret videos of people undressing found on Steele’s phone on Oct. 15. The videos were originally discovered on Oct. 13.
Video footage shows Steele placing a camera inside a paper towel holder located inside a tanning booth minutes before an unknowing victim fully undressed inside the booth, according to the statement. Police also allegedly found velcro for the cameras inside all five tanning booths.
CPD contacted one of the victims recorded by Steele, who allegedly told police they did not know they were being recorded and that they were “very uncomfortable” with Steele’s actions.
A warrant was issued for Steele’s arrest and he was not listed in the Boone County Jail roster as of Thursday afternoon.