Sponsor
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
KPCC Archive

Santa Ana intern convicted for recording video of over 60 men using public bathrooms

View of a smartphone displaying the "Contactless" application by Spanish bank La Caixa during it's presentation in Barcelona, on January 12, 2012. Spain’s biggest savings bank La Caixa has launched the world’s first ATMs to feature contactless technology. According to La Caixa, the ATMs will offer the fastest withdrawal system on the market. AFP PHOTO / JOSEP LAGO (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
Cell phones taping cell phones
(
JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images
)

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today . 

An intern with the Santa Ana Public Works Department was convicted Thursday for recording video of over 60 men by placing his cellphone at the foot of bathroom stalls

According to Orange County prosecutors, Miguel Ruiz Fabian pleaded guilty to eight counts of misdemeanor disorderly conduct by unlawful viewing. The 24-year-old engineering student at Cal State Poly University has been sentenced to six months in jail, plus three years of formal probation.

An Orange County District Attorney's Office press release says that Fabian would routinely enter stalls at the Santa Ana City Hall and City Hall Annex, put his phone on the floor and used the camera function to record men as they utilized the stall next door.

Fabian allegedly recorded men 64 times over 23 days between Dec. 28, 2010, and May 31, 2011.

Sponsor

Finally in late May, a man looked down while using the restroom and saw the cellphone on the floor at the foot of his stall. He grabbed the phone, found Fabian was the owner and called 911.

The O.C. District Attorney's Office said the victims were predominantly city employees. The identities of many victims remain unknown, but those who could be identified have been contacted by Santa Ana police.

At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.

But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.

We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.

Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Chip in now to fund your local journalism

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right