Judge Charles Spencer Genisio sentenced former McDonald County High School janitor Rodger Copeland to four years in prison on two counts of invasion of privacy and six years in prison on 20 counts of endangering the welfare of a child during a December 23 hearing in Newton County Circuit Court. The sentences will run concurrently. The case was moved to Newton County on a change of venue.
Copeland was initially charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography and invasion of privacy, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charges under a plea agreement with the McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney's office.
At the beginning of the 2024 school year, I placed a camera in the girls locker room. Two instances of partial nudity were recorded and 20 girls under age 17 years of age were identifiable on the recording. I understand that finding out you were recorded without your knowledge could affect your mental health.
According to the probable cause statement, Copeland immediately acknowledged to investigators from the McDonald County Sheriff's Office that he was responsible for the camera.Copeland then stated he wanted to experiment, and wanted to look at the girl's bodies, and faces, because they were pretty. Copeland stated he did it because it had to do a lot with him being lonely.
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