Man charged with video voyeurism after filming in bathroom at Pride event
Andrew Sheets was arrested after filming at Naples Pridefest (Instagram/naplespride | Collier County, FL Sheriff’s Office)
A Florida man who attended Naples Pridefest while openly criticising the LGBTQ+ community has been arrested on video voyeurism charges after authorities say he filmed people inside a public restroom during the event.
According to police, 61-year-old Andrew Sheets recorded a 40-minute video at the April 18 Pride festival using a body camera, later uploading the footage to a YouTube channel, which authorities have confirmed is run by Sheets.
Investigators say the video included footage filmed inside a men’s public restroom, including two men using urinals who reportedly did not know they were being recorded. “Yes, I did go in. Public bathroom. Nobody was in there. I went to the stall to pee,” Sheets said.
Sheets has been charged with one count of digital video voyeurism and one count of distribution, with a court appearance scheduled for June 1.
Sheets later told local media outlet Gulf Coast News that he attended the event to document what he described as “grooming”. Authorities also said private security initially denied him entry to the event because he was carrying a handgun, which he left to store in his car. According to the booking report, after returning without a firearm, Sheets entered the Pride festival and interacted with vendors, as shown in a video posted to his YouTube channel, which remains up as of the time of reporting. Afterwards, Sheets later returned to the front entrance of the festival carrying a rifle and a large sign.
In a statement following the arrest, Naples Pride said: “The irony is difficult to ignore. A man who publicly accused our community of ‘grooming’ now stands accused of unlawfully recording people in a place where privacy is expected.” Organisers also thanked local law enforcement for taking the matter seriously and helping protect the safety and privacy of attendees.
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