Former custodian charged with filming in school staff bathroom

A former custodian at Clear Creek Elementary School was arrested Monday on four counts of invasion of privacy.

According to Clear Lake Police Chief Pete Roth, 46-year-old David Bemis, of Mason City, was taken to Cerro Gordo County Jail at about 5 p.m. Feb. 12.

While employed as a custodian with the Clear Lake School District, Bemis allegedly placed a video recording device in a staff bathroom at Clear Creek Elementary School, 901 S. 14th St.  The recording occurred in May 2013.

According to a news release issued by the Clear Lake Police Department, in January 2018, the Clear Lake Community School District became aware of possible invasions of privacy that occurred in one of their schools.  District officials contacted the CLPD to investigate.

Investigators were able to recover video evidence that showed brief footage of a staff restroom in one school. The footage was recorded over four years ago and showed only four school employees. Those employees have been contacted. There is no evidence of any student being recorded or involved.

Clear Lake Schools Superintendent Doug Gee said Bemis was employed by the district for 19 years.

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“When we got the information, he (Bemis) was placed on administrative leave immediately and we searched every bathroom and locker room in all our buildings,” said Gee.  “Based on the police investigation and through forensic examination of all the equipment, we are confident that the incident was four to five-years ago; it was an isolated incident, so it was not ongoing. We are confident that there were no students filmed.  Mr. Bemis resigned in January.”

Roth stated the police department worked closely with the school, other law enforcement agencies, and the Cerro Gordo County Attorney’s Office.

“The district will continue to work with staff so something like this does not happen again,” added Gee.  “We will continue to work to make Clear Lake a great place to work and a great place to educate students. We take the safety of our staff and students very seriously.”

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