Boone County Sheriff’s Office offers advice after Columbia man accused of hiding camera in bathroom

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -

Prosecutors charged a Columbia man Monday with sex crimes against a child.

According to the Boone County Sheriff's Office, deputies arrested Justin R. Perry, 41, on Sunday at a home in the 2400 block of East Buffalo Drive after a minor found a camera while bathing. The camera was used to film the minor using the shower and bathroom, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies said a computer could access the images and recordings.

Perry faces possible charges of possession of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a minor, and invasion of privacy.

Detective Cody Bounds with the Boone County Sheriff's office said there are several ways a person can protect themselves if they suspect there is a hidden camera in their home.

Bounds said you can easily go into a phone app store and download a wireless detector or hidden spy camera.

"I would recommend that everyone knows what is on their network and maybe do an Amazon search or online search for spy cameras and see what variations typically are," Bounds said.

The sheriff's office emphasized if you see a hidden camera in your home to take a picture of it, but don't draw attention. If you draw attention, the perpetrator behind the camera will have a live video of you noticing the device and will be able to delete a video of you that could be used for evidence.

Lastly, perpetrators don't typically place cameras in a clean, open environment. It is important to look for cameras in areas with clutter or in "hard to reach areas" like vents.

"I mentioned the pile of clothes that's not something that's going to draw a lot of attention because it's something people might be able to glance right over that," Bounds said.

A judge ordered Perry be held without bond.