Sex offender charged after allegedly using hidden camera in bathroom

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Mexico, Missouri, man was charged in Boone County on Wednesday after he was accused of placing a hidden camera in a residential bathroom.

Tony Dean Jones Jr. was charged with invasion of privacy, attempted sexual exploitation of a child and misdemeanor attempted invasion of privacy. A motion to set bond was filed. He was not listed on the Boone County Jail roster.

According to the probable cause statement filed by the Centralia Police Department, a victim found a cellphone charger that contained a hidden video camera in an outlet in a bathroom that was pointed at a shower and toilet.

In August, Jones was allegedly allowed to use the shower of a residence, the statement says. After Jones left, a resident saw a phone charger left behind that had a red light on, the statement says. A camera and SD card were found in the charger, the statement says.

The victim viewed the SD card’s contents on their computer and saw videos and images of taking showers in another bathroom, the statement says.

Police wrote the camera was activated to record when it detected motion. Jones is a registered sex offender.