A Medford Township, New Jersey, chemistry teacher is facing several charges for supposedly taking “upskirt” videos of his high school students.
According to a press release from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Eric Howell, 43, of Maple Shade, allegedly captured the illicit footage by concealing a camera in a coconut water box located in the side of his briefcase. The Lenape High School teacher is accused of unscrewing the cap of the box and maneuvering the briefcase so it went under students’ skirts or loose clothing as he walked.
Authorities said Howell’s behavior was called to their attention on May 2, after a student allegedly caught the 43-year-old attempting to position the camera under her skirt. The student in question alerted school officials, who immediately banned him from the school and school-related events, according to The Courier-Post.
Howell was arrested Wednesday and charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, four counts of invasion of privacy, and one count of official misconduct.
The Prosecutor’s Office said the charges are related to incidents involving three different students—one who was targeted on more than one occasion. A fourth incident pertained to an “upskirt” video taken in at a convenience store.
In a statement obtained by NJ.com, school district spokeswoman Laura Bishop said administrators promptly reached out to law enforcement upon receiving the student’s report. She continued:
“We immediately contacted and communicated with specific parents throughout the investigation by the authorities, offered counseling to any students and staff member with a concern regarding this issue, and did not permit this individual on our school grounds or at any LRHSD [Lenape Regional High School District] events.”
Prosecutors claimed they recovered several digital devices while carrying out a search warrant. The Prosecutor’s Office’s High-Tech Crimes Unit are analyzing the devices for possible evidence, according to the Burlington County Times.
Howell has taught at Lenape High School since 2016. He is currently being held in the Burlington County Jail.
[Featured Image: Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office]
