https://padlet.com/klandaverde/1rnxwtck8oz4 Illegal Video Video in girls’ locker room, Ex-school trustee indicted over video, Dallas Morning News en-us 2018-02-05 02:33:57 UTC 2018-02-08 03:13:02 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Diskette.png klandaverde https://padlet.com/klandaverde/1rnxwtck8oz4/wish/227949543 Sanger police are investigating a video recorded in the visitors' locker room at an Argyle-Sanger high school varsity girls basketball game in February, and several Argyle parents fear that someone has inappropriate footage of their daughters. According to a Sanger police report obtained by the Denton Record-Chronicle through a public records request, officers are investigating "improper photography or visual recording" allegedly taken at Sanger High School on Feb. 7. Police received the report March 26. Sanger police did not return repeated phone calls for comment. Argyle ISD is cooperating with authorities in the investigation, district Superintendent Telena Wright said. Wright said she received a copy of the video anonymously by mail last month. School board members also received copies of the video, which appeared to have been edited, she said. Wright said she turned her copy over to Argyle police, who in turn gave it to Sanger police. Wright said she viewed the footage, but she wouldn't disclose details, saying it could compromise the ongoing investigation. "I don't really have any comment until the investigation is completed," she said. It's unclear why or by whom the video was shot. "We're obviously concerned here in Argyle," said Julie Sheridan, parent of a child on the Argyle High varsity team. On March 26, Sheridan said she and 13 other parents filed a joint complaint with Sanger police requesting a full investigation into Feb. 7 recording. "It's just a horrible thing to have happen because we do not know when that video might show up again," Sheridan said. "There's a large group of parents of the varsity players … that want the police to find the person that [recorded] that video. We want that person prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Ron Strelke, another parent of an Argyle High player, said his concern is for the privacy of his child. Strelke, who had not seen the video, said that because it apparently had been edited, he worried that complete and original footage could include "compromising footage" of his daughter and others. He said the thought that someone shot such video is "unsettling and irritating." Strelke said he would like to see the video turned over to authorities and destroyed. "This whole process is a real black eye for the Argyle school district and the school board," he said. "For me being a parent … it is a real embarrassment." Skip Townsend, Argyle Lady Eagles head coach, said that the video was shot without his knowledge and that he, too, is concerned.]]> 2018-02-05 02:44:52 UTC https://padlet.com/klandaverde/1rnxwtck8oz4/wish/227949543 klandaverde https://padlet.com/klandaverde/1rnxwtck8oz4/wish/227949718 Former Argyle school board member Wendee Long has turned herself into authorities on two felony charges in connection with a video allegedly recorded in a girls' locker room at a varsity basketball game last February.
A Denton County grand jury indicted Long June 28 on charges of improper photography or visual recording and unlawful interception, use or disclosure of wire, oral or electronic communications, said Jamie Beck, first assistant district attorney.
"She has turned herself in and posted bond and has been released," Beck said.
Daniel K. Peugh, Long's attorney, wrote in an email Tuesday that both he and his client are "surprised and disappointed" at the grand jury's decision.
"Wendee maintains, and I agree, that she has not violated any law," Peugh wrote. "We do not believe anything has taken place that should involve the justice system. However, now that we find ourselves in the system, we are confident that Wendee will be cleared of any wrongdoing."
If convicted of the improper visual recording charge, Long could face 180 days to two years in a state jail. She could also face a fine up to $10,000, Beck said.
The second-degree charge of unlawful interception, which Beck said is under the same statute as wiretapping, carries a punishment of two years to 20 years in state prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Beck said defendants who have never been convicted of a felony offense are eligible for probation.
Sanger police Detective Jonathan Perkins, who investigated the case, said there was no specific motive for the recording, but it's assumed the recording was taken to capture the actions of the girls' varsity coach, Skip Townsend. There was no indication a recording was also placed in the home team's locker room, he said.
Long, a principal of five years at Wayside Middle School in Fort Worth, part of the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District, informed her employers of the charges June 29 and was placed on administrative leave, district spokeswoman Kristin Courtney said.
"Our offices are closed this week, so we will start our own investigation when we return next Monday," she said. "We will determine any implications for our district once we go through the investigation."
Long has been an educator 18 years and an administrator for nine, according to a letter on the Wayside Middle School website.
She served a three-year term on the Argyle school board before running for re-election and being defeated in a May 12 race.
Argyle Superintendent Telena Wright said Tuesday the district has no comment on the indictment.
The indictment stems from a video allegedly recorded in the Argyle locker room at an Argyle-Sanger high school varsity girls' basketball game in Sanger on Feb. 7.
Last spring, Wright told the Denton Record-Chronicle she and board members received anonymous copies of the video, which appeared to be edited, by mail.
Sanger police opened an investigation March 26 after receiving that video and a joint complaint from 14 Argyle parents requesting an investigation.
In May, Sanger police turned the case over to the district attorney's office for review.
Police said the edited recording did not contain inappropriate images of Argyle players. It showed the girls' locker room at halftime and included audio of the post-game conversation. During the investigation, police received information implicating Long and her 17-year-old daughter and recovered the unedited portion of the recording. Long's daughter was not a member of the team.
Beck said Long's daughter was not indicted by the grand jury.]]> 2018-02-05 02:46:46 UTC https://padlet.com/klandaverde/1rnxwtck8oz4/wish/227949718