By Steve Pope | February 6, 2019
Cranberry Township police arrested a paramedic Tuesday alleging that he secretly record women using the restroom at his EMS station using a cell phone.
Matthew Thomas Leonard, 37, faces two counts of invasion of privacy and one count each of illegal interception of communications and criminal use of a communications facility.
He has been placed on an unpaid suspension, according to Cranberry Township EMS, who released the following statement: “We are aware of the situation that occurred, and are fully cooperating with the Cranberry Township Police Department. This is a police matter and all inquiries are being directed to that department,”
EMS authorities posted a similar message on social media saying, “The individual in question has been suspended without pay, pending the police investigation. The Cranberry Township EMS is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our employees and community.”
Police alleged in a criminal complaint that on Jan. 24 an employee found a cell phone in the women’s bathroom hidden behind a trash can.
Police were able to determine that the phone belonged to Leonard, who admitted it was his phone and he placed it in the bathroom.
“He confirmed ownership of the phone and stated he used it to surreptitiously record a female in the women’s restroom,” the complaint said.
After obtaining a search warrant for the phone, police found several videos “clearly showing Leonard in the bathroom, making attempts to conceal the cellular device in various manners,”
After being processed at the Butler County Jail, Leonard was released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary on Feb. 22
Steve Pope can be contacted at steve.pope@grantstreetnews.com
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