Guam Man Charged with Invasion of Privacy for Allegedly Filming 12-Year-Old Girl Showering

Edward Prens, a 46-year-old man from Yigo, Guam, has been charged with two counts of invasion of privacy for allegedly filming a 12-year-old girl while she was showering at a residence in Yigo. According to the magistrate's complaint, the incident occurred when the girl was using an outdoor shower at her home.

The girl reported hearing a camera shutter sound and spotting a cell phone above the metal-link chain fence behind her. She yelled at the person holding the phone to stop taking pictures of her and then ran to her father crying. The father called the police to report the incident.

When officers met with Prens, he initially denied taking any photos and claimed he was just hanging out at the back of the house. However, a search of his phone revealed a 14-second video clip in the trash folder showing the girl showering while completely naked. Prens later admitted to recording the video but said he "was just messing around."

Why this matters: This case highlights the importance of protecting children's privacy and the serious consequences of violating it. It also underscores the need for increased awareness and vigilance in preventing such incidents.

Prens has been charged with invasion of privacy as a third-degree felony and invasion of privacy as a misdemeanor. "The suspect initially denied the allegations but the evidence found on his phone contradicted his statements," said a police spokesperson. The case is now in the hands of the legal system to determine the appropriate consequences for Prens' alleged actions.

Key Takeaways

• Man charged with filming 12-year-old girl showering
• Incident occurred at residence in Yigo, Guam
• Video found on suspect's phone, despite initial denial
• Suspect charged with invasion of privacy felony and misdemeanor
• Case highlights need to protect children's privacy