Okay, the guy is a sleeze, but why did they take his firearms?

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Frandy

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Why? Is it state or local law to do so automatically?


http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-superintendent-arrested,0,362760,print.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

Superintendent Arrested After Camera Found

By Associated Press

November 17, 2005, 4:12 PM EST

WACO, Texas -- A school superintendent was arrested for allegedly placing a hidden video camera resembling an air freshener dispenser in a women's bathroom at the school administration office.

Danny Edward Doyen, 46, told investigators that he bought the camera with a school district credit card and placed it in a restroom to obtain nude photos of female employees, according to the McLennan County Sheriff's Office.

Doyen has been superintendent in Bruceville-Eddy, about 20 mile south of Waco, since 2002. He was booked Wednesday into the McLennan County Jail on a charge of improper photography or visual recording, punishable by up to two years in a state jail.

Bruceville-Eddy High School principal Richard Kilgore said Doyen is on temporary leave.

According to records, a school business office clerk alerted investigators this week after finding a school credit card statement for a $299 purchase with no vendor name, then discovering it was from a surveillance company. Two days later, Doyen submitted an invoice for the purchase, which included a description of the camera and a Web site address, according to records.

The clerk learned about the item online, then remembered that Doyen two weeks earlier had mentioned the need for air fresheners in the men's restroom and office hallway, according to an affidavit.

The clerk and other women employees then found the fake air freshener on a shelf about 3 feet away from the toilet, according to court records.

Investigators reported finding the hidden camera on a shelf in Doyen's school district office after obtaining search warrants for his office and home. Officers also reported seizing computer equipment and related materials from Doyen's school office, computer equipment from his daughter's bedroom and 11 weapons from Doyen's bedroom.

* __

Information from: Waco Tribune-Herald, http://www.wacotrib.com
 
Well, it says weapons, not firearms. They could be guns, swords, assault tooothbrushes....

Anyway, is his alleged crime considered a felony? That may be it, or it may just be standard practice to seize any weapons/guns.
 
Felons are not allowed to own guns here. It's possible that being "under investigation for a felony offense" qualifies as sufficient to remove weapons from the alleged felons possession.

Any TX criminal attorneys here?
 
Yeah, it's probably because he's indicted for a felony.

But what I want to know is, if I put a spy camera up at the shooting range, will they come confiscate my toilets?:D
 
PENAL CODE
CHAPTER 21. SEXUAL OFFENSES
[...]
§ 21.15. IMPROPER PHOTOGRAPHY OR VISUAL
RECORDING. (a) In this section, "promote" has the meaning
assigned by Section 43.21.
(b) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) photographs or by videotape or other electronic
means visually records another:
(A) without the other person's consent; and
(B) with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual
desire of any person; or
(2) knowing the character and content of the
photograph or recording, promotes a photograph or visual recording
described by Subdivision (1).
(c) An offense under this section is a state jail felony.
(d) If conduct that constitutes an offense under this
section also constitutes an offense under any other law, the actor
may be prosecuted under this section or the other law.
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.005.00.000021.00.htm
 
Innocent until PROVEN guilty!

Not condoning his actions. However, this is the primis of our judicial system.
 
Danny Edward Doyen, 46, told investigators that he bought the camera with a school district credit card and placed it in a restroom to obtain nude photos of female employees, according to the McLennan County Sheriff's Office.

Maybe the police figured he's too stupid for guns.
 
Weapons were probably listed on the Warrants

Frandy said:
Investigators reported finding the hidden camera on a shelf in Doyen's school district office after obtaining search warrants for his office and home. Officers also reported seizing computer equipment and related materials from Doyen's school office, computer equipment from his daughter's bedroom and 11 weapons from Doyen's bedroom.

I hate to say it, but this probably was just a reasonable use of a search warrant that is being taken out of context. I'm sure the warrants listed a broad spectrum of things to be sought: Porn, financial records (related to purchase of camera), Actual Photos of School Employees (smoking gun!), and any other criminal paraphernalia. Weapons were likely included on the warrant and seized pursuant to it.

If they were NOT listed on the warrant then it might be a case of overreaching by LE.

Futuristic
 
Futuristic said:
I hate to say it, but this probably was just a reasonable use of a search warrant that is being taken out of context. I'm sure the warrants listed a broad spectrum of things to be sought: Porn, financial records (related to purchase of camera), Actual Photos of School Employees (smoking gun!), and any other criminal paraphernalia. Weapons were likely included on the warrant and seized pursuant to it.

If they were NOT listed on the warrant then it might be a case of overreaching by LE.

Futuristic
Even if they were listed it was overreaching. The crime was a non-violent crime. Plus, of course, he hasn't been convicted. It's one thing to sieze anything that might pertain to the crime being investigated, but what do "weapons" have to do with taking sneaky pictures?

I agree with the original premise of this thread -- it appears the guy is a first-rate sleaze, but there is no justification (at this time) for siezing weapons.
 
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