Cops: Gym Teacher Hid Camera in Girls Locker Room

Update 4:10 p.m.: Sheppard has been released on bail. Read the article here.

Previous: New York State Police have charged a 27-year-old Westhampton Beach Middle School gym teacher with unlawful surveillance, a felony, for allegedly hiding a video camera in the girls locker room.

The teacher, Thomas Sheppard, of Speonk, was charged on March 20, after an investigation by Westhampton Beach and New York State detectives, which stemmed from allegations made by several students in the school district.

The allegations of teacher misconduct were made pubic on March 5 when Mike Radday, school superintendent, called Westhampton Beach police to report the incident that occurred in the girl's locker room.

An investigation was launched by Detective Ed Hamor of the Westhampton Beach Police Department, but handed over to state police after Hamor was involved in a car accident.

• School Superintendent Mike Radday released this statement after Sheppard's arrest.

While the investigation was pending, Sheppard was put on administrative duty.

State police said on Wednesday that evidence obtained revealed that Sheppard, a four-year employee of the school district, apparently placed a video recording device in the female gym locker room at the school.

Sheppard, police said, will be arraigned on Wednesday afternoon with a press conference scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Police said the investigation is continuing and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Anyone who has information is encouraged to contact the New York State Police at 631-208-9002.

Related Reading:

• Updated: Westhampton Beach Schools Investigates Teacher Misconduct Allegation
• State Police Take Over Alleged Teacher Misconduct Case

For more headlines from Westhampton and Hampton Bays, click here.

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