Corvallis, Ore. – A Lebanon man has been charged with multiple counts of invasion of personal privacy after allegedly using a hidden camera to record nude images of five people at Oregon State University (OSU), according to court documents.
Manuel Antonio Villa, 19, was arrested by OSU campus police on March 18, following an investigation into the illegal recordings. The charges, which include first- and second-degree invasion of personal privacy, stem from incidents that occurred in early March. According to court records, Villa allegedly placed a hidden recording device in various locations on campus, capturing images of the victims in various states of undress.
The incidents occurred on three separate occasions in March. Two of the victims were reportedly observed in person, while the other three individuals were only captured on video. Investigators said the recordings were made without the knowledge or consent of the victims, leading to the charges against Villa.
Villa, who was arrested on suspicion of the crimes, pleaded not guilty to the charges in court. Following his arrest, he was released from custody under the condition that he not possess any device capable of capturing images or video. A court date has been set for April 21, where he is expected to appear again to face the charges.
The case has raised concerns about privacy and security on college campuses, prompting renewed discussions about the safety of students and the prevalence of technology being used to exploit personal spaces. OSU campus police continue to investigate the situation, urging anyone who may have been affected to come forward.
As the legal proceedings continue, Villa remains out on bail, with the court monitoring his compliance with the conditions of his release. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.
