Authorities are investigating an Iowa man accused of hiding a camera inside a porta potty to film numerous individuals, including children, at local events.
Tyler Public, 32, from Des Moines, was taken into custody on Wednesday. He’s facing seven charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and three counts of invasion of privacy concerning nudity, as reported by the Des Moines Police Department.
Public allegedly placed a camera under a toilet seat, surreptitiously recording both adults and children at two separate local gatherings.
One camera was discovered in a porta potty at the Harvest and Handmade Fair in Water Works Park, Des Moines, on October 4th.
According to Sgt. Paul Parizek, the camera captured unsuspecting visitors—both adults and children—as they entered and used the restroom.
On Thursday, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office revealed it was also looking into Public after a camera was found in the entry restroom of the Lincoln Valley Golf Course at State Center on September 23rd.
This event coincided with the West Marshall Community School District hosting middle and high school cross country tournaments at the golf course.
A criminal complaint indicated that Public allegedly set up the camera shortly before the races began, then left the vicinity.
The hidden camera was reported to law enforcement by a group that found it, and authorities quickly acted to secure the evidence.
School officials were promptly notified, and interviews of potential witnesses were conducted, with surveillance footage reviewed that might have provided insights into the individual involved.
Upon further investigation, police learned from detectives in Des Moines that they were dealing with a similar case.
Following their inquiries, authorities uncovered digital evidence connecting Public to both incidents.
As a result, he has been slapped with several additional charges, including 36 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor intended for acting, one for film promotion, and 52 counts of invasion of privacy involving nudity.
Public is currently held at the Polk County Jail on a $100,000 cash bond, with a court appearance scheduled for next Monday.
