Man Received Suspended Sentence For Recording Grace Students Undressing
WARSAW — An Ohio man received a suspended one-year sentence after using a device to record four female Grace College students in various stages of undress.
Gavin Layne Reeves, 20, was charged with four counts of voyeurism, all level 6 felonies.
He was sentenced Thursday morning, Dec. 12. It was unclear if he was a student at Grace College.
On July 5, 2018, an officer with the Winona Lake Police Department was informed by Grace College Campus Safety that a hidden camera that recorded video and audio was located in a dorm bathroom on campus. Through an investigation, it was discovered that the device was also found in the bedroom of a Grace College student.
On Aug. 3, 2018, the officer was informed that a search warrant was served on Reeves’ residence and on the hidden device in question. According to court documents, several videos were recovered from that appeared to be taken in the dorm bathroom of Grace College.
On Jan. 30, the officer received a hard drive containing all the evidence obtained from the hidden camera device. Upon reviewing the evidence, it was determined that the hidden camera device was placed in the dorm bathroom and recorded four students in various stages of undress on numerous occasions.
The officer interviewed one of the students who was recorded. The student said Reeves gave her the hidden camera device and told her it was a motion-activated air freshener he was working on. Reeves told the student that the device would collect motion so he could determine the settings for the air freshener. He requested she place the device in the dorm bathroom.
During an interview with the officer, Reeves admitted to providing the hidden camera device to the student and that he had her put it in the bathroom so he could record female students in various stages of undress without consent.
“Almost everything about Reeves and his personality speaks intelligence,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz. “And he understands that what we’re doing here today is very important. But he also has to understand that he used his intelligence for a nefarious purpose. I know one of the victims, in this case, is very traumatized from what happened.”
“Mr. Reeves knows he made a mistake and is taking it very seriously,” said Defense Attorney Isaiah Vanderpool. “He really wants to focus and turn this negative part of his life into something positive and help others who are struggling.”
“I understand the gravity of the choices I’ve made,” said Reeves. “I accept responsibility and plan to continue to strive to better myself and the community. I am looking forward to making a positive impact.”
Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge David Cates sentenced Reeves to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail for each count of voyeurism. Each of the four counts will be served concurrently and the sentence was suspended on formal probation. He has 11 days of jail time credit.
A no-contact order was also established with Reeves and the four victims in this case.
“It’s important that you get some help,” said Cates. “I strongly suggest that you not be back in this court again.”