A Denton barbershop owner is facing criminal charges after an employee discovered a concealed cellphone secretly recording inside the shop’s restroom, police confirmed.
The incident occurred on August 3 at Pepe Le Barber, located on South Elm Street near the Denton town square. An employee found the device hidden inside a box in the bathroom and immediately alerted authorities.
Denton police investigators traced the phone back to the shop’s owner, Jose Luis Alvarez Williams. Williams surrendered to authorities on a warrant charging him with invasive visual recording and was released after posting a $2,500 bond.
The barbershop has since closed its doors and several of its online business profiles have been taken down.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly among former customers who had visited the shop. Crystal McLemore, who said she had been a loyal client for years, expressed outrage after learning what had allegedly taken place inside the restroom.
“That’s disgusting” McLemore said after recalling a recent visit to the barbershop with her family. She said her young daughter used the bathroom during the visit and is now deeply troubled by what may have occurred.
“It makes me very angry, actually. Very angry” McLemore said. She added that her daughter does not have the ability to speak for herself making the situation even more upsetting.
McLemore said she has since contacted Denton police and is urging investigators to look into whether any recorded footage may have been deleted before the device was discovered.
Denton police said at this time there is no evidence pointing to additional victims beyond the employee who reported the hidden phone. However investigators have not ruled out further developments as the case continues.
Invasive visual recording is a criminal offense under Texas law that can carry significant penalties depending on the circumstances and number of victims involved. The charge against Williams reflects the serious nature of secretly capturing images of individuals in private spaces without their knowledge or consent.