Winter Haven man accused of secretly recording 15-year-old in bathroom; other victims possible

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) — A Winter Haven man is accused of secretly recording a nude 15-year-old girl in his bathroom.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said 43-year-old Domingo Rivera Velez was arrested at his home Wednesday. He was charged with video voyeurism.

According to Sheriff Grady Judd, Rivera Velez’s wife found photos of a 15-year old girl on his cell phone.

“I think his wife did a noble thing and did the right thing. His wife looked at this and recognized it was wrong. He recognized not only is it legally wrong but it’s morally wrong,” said Sheriff Judd.

During an interview with detectives, the sheriff’s office said Rivera Velez admitted to taking the photos using a digital watch he left in the bathroom.

Polk County detectives said they obtained search warrants for the home and another phone that belonged to Rivera Velez. They said they found additional photos and videos taken in other bathrooms in other homes, as well as videos taken from floor level at a Home Depot store in south Lakeland.

Sheriff Judd said Velez would attach the watch to his shoe and record images under people’s clothing.

“If you were at Home Depot and all of a sudden his guy is standing close to you while you are looking for products on a shelf, we need to talk to you,” said Sheriff Judd.

Deputies said Rivera Velez targeted women wearing shirts and dresses.

A Home Depot corporate spokesperson referred News Channel 8’s inquiries about Velez’s alleged behavior and employment status to law enforcement.

Rivera Veleze told deputies that he worked at the Home Depot store in south Lakeland. It is not known if he is still employed there.

“This investigation is ongoing. Our detectives have more people to speak with, and the seized electronic devices will be forensically searched for additional images and videos,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “If you have had suspicious encounters with Domingo Rivera Velez, contact our detectives at 863-298-6200, and let them know about it. He needs to be held accountable for his criminal conduct.”

A judge set bond Velez’s bond at $25,000.

Velez’s attorney, John Liguori, told the judge Velez is building a home in Winter Haven and has worked for Home Depot for 22 years.

He said Velez’s wife and the alleged victim have gone to Puerto Rico.

A representative from Liguori’s office said the attorney has no comment on the case.

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