WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-UVM Freshman Allegedly Filmed Students In Bathrooms

UVM Freshman Allegedly Filmed Students In Bathrooms

Burlington, Vermont - February 27, 2008

Shock and disbelief rippled through the Trinity Campus at the University of Vermont this week, with the news that a university freshman was caught video taping other students in residence hall bathrooms.

University Police say Jordan Yarosh allegedly placed hidden cameras, disguised as clock radios, in various bathrooms. A female student apparently noticed the clock radio in two separate bathrooms and became suspicious. She contacted police who say they were able to trace the cameras back to Yarosh.

UVM Police Chief, Gary Margolis, says he has no idea how long the cameras had been used.

"We're working closely with CUSI, the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations, to do the forensics on it," says Margolis.

Yarosh was arrested on Monday and charged with prohibited acts. That is the state charge for what is commonly known as voyeurism.

"He's also interimly separated from the University pending any internal processes that need to go through," adds Margolis.

Following his arrest, the university sent an email to students in Sichel Hall informing them of the incident. Students who live on the Trinity Campus, which includes Sichel Hall and Richardson Hall - where Yarosh lived - say they are shocked by the news.

"I would have never thought it was him," says UVM Freshman Kyle Coulam. Yarosh and Coulam were in the same business class. "Someone said that to me and I was just like, 'No way Jordan would never do that', then sure enough I heard his name and I was like, 'Oh my god, like, no way could this possibly be."

Several students say they were at a party with Yarosh over the weekend and still find it hard to believe that he is no longer at the college.

Many students say they feel violated even though they don't believe they are victims of the hidden camera. Freshmen Katie Williams and Lindsay Weisberg say they ran into their own bathroom in Ready Hall to check for suspicious devices.

"I don't know I just, I always see it in the movies and I never thought it would actually happen," says Williams.

"Yeah you never thought it was real," adds Weisberg.

Police and campus administration met with students Tuesday night to answer questions and quell fears. They say the good news is that this does seem to be an isolated incident.

Bianca Slota - WCAX News