A manager at North End Pizzeria was arrested Tuesday on charges he secretly recorded employees in the restaurant’s restroom and distributed some of the footage on social media, police said.
Michael Boone, 29, of Portsmouth, faces charges of video voyeurism, unauthorized dissemination of indecent material and disorderly conduct following an investigation that began over the weekend.
Portsmouth police received a report Sunday from an employee who believed they had been secretly recorded while using the restroom during a work shift. The employee noticed a mobile phone positioned to capture the contents of the room, according to a police statement released Wednesday.
Investigators determined Boone entered the restroom shortly before and immediately after the employee. Detectives executed a search warrant at Boone’s residence at 48 Barkers Lane in Portsmouth, where they recovered a cellphone consistent with the one described by the employee. The phone contained digital evidence, police said.
During questioning, Boone admitted to placing a hidden camera in the restroom and recording employees without their knowledge or consent, according to police. Investigators identified a second victim who was also recorded without consent. Boone further admitted to distributing some of the recordings via a social media platform, police said.
Boone was processed at Portsmouth police headquarters and arraigned before a justice of the peace, who set bail at $1,000 with surety. His formal arraignment is scheduled for today in Second Division District Court.
Additional charges are pending as detectives continue to analyze the recovered electronic evidence, police said.
Portsmouth police commended the victims for their courage in reporting the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Portsmouth Police Detective Division at 401-683-0994.