EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Two recording devices were found in bathrooms at an El Paso gym for youth cheerleading organizations, recording individuals without their consent, according to court documents obtained by KTSM.
As KTSM previously reported, Christopher Sotelo, a former cheerleader coach with the Texas Bandits All-Stars cheerleading organization, was arrested on Aug. 29 and charged with two counts of invasive visual recording. He posted bond on Aug. 30.
On Aug. 23, an employee at the gym allegedly found a small, black, rectangular-shaped object, similar in shape to a smartphone, in one of the bathrooms.
The item was found on the bottom shelf of a 3-bin tower and was facing the toilet. The employee picked up the item, believing it was a hidden camera device and informed one of the owners.
According to court documents, the co-owner looked at the device and found what was believed to be a small camera lens on the side and a 64 GB micro SD card. The other owner and staff were notified of the discovery.
Another employee checked the second bathroom and located an item that appeared to be a pen on top of a decorative item, above the toilet, wrapped in a small piece of paper towel. The employee told the owners the pen was warm to the touch, suggesting recent use.
The owners then took the items to the police and found two video recordings on the pen-style device.
According to court documents, one recording, labeled as VID0201.MOV, lasting less than 4 minutes, showed Sotelo looking into the camera while manipulating the device, as if he were positioning the camera. Sotelo then walked out of the bathroom.
Later, in the same recording, an employee walks into the bathroom “looking for something” as she searches the sink and toilet. The employee then reaches for the camera device and the video stops.
In the other recording, labeled as VID0188.MOV, which lasted 5 minutes, shows both owners, at different times, walking into the bathroom, using the toilet and exiting the room.
One of the owners stated that the bathrooms are cleaned daily and the items had not been there in previous days.
Additionally, one of the owners said the business had been opened at 7 a.m., and Sotelo and another employee had lessons at 8 a.m. later that day.
Both of the owners told police that they were unaware of being recorded and were not aware of any recording devices inside the bathroom.
Sotelo is facing criminal charges for the invasive recordings. If convicted, he could face jail time and be required to register as a sex offender under Texas law.
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities have not yet disclosed a possible motive, and it remains unclear whether other recordings exist or if any additional victims may be involved.
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact the El Paso Police Department.
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