Anti-LGBTQ+ extremist charged for filming men using public bathroom at Florida Pride event

"Authorities have arrested a Florida man on video voyeurism charges after he filmed attendees of Naples Pridefest using the restroom. Now, he claims he wanted to catch men grooming boys. The Collier County Sheriff's Office shows Andrew Sheets, 61, was booked on one count of digital video voyeurism and one count of distribution. He must appear in court on June 1."

"A Naples Police Department report says detectives became aware after the April 18 Pride event that Sheets posted a 40-minute video on YouTube shot at the event. It was shot using a body camera, according to police. The video included footage of Sheets filming inside a men's restroom when two undercover deputies entered. At one point, the video shows him filming two men using a urinal in the bathroom mirror. The men said they did not know they were being recorded at the time."

"Sheets, who frequently posts videos and right-wing commentary criticizing Florida police, later told Gulf Coast News that he attended the event to document "grooming." He admitted that he went to the restroom while the body camera was running. "Yes, I did go in. Public bathroom. Nobody was in there. I went to the stall to pee," he said."

"A booking sheet shows deputies had greater concern about Sheets' intentions than whether he would film people in the restroom. One detective said he saw Sheets early in the day, allegedly entering the event while carrying a handgun. Private security did not allow him to enter while armed. Sheets put the gun in his car and then returned, where he recorded interactions with booth vendors, police said."

Andrew Sheets, 61, was arrested in Florida on charges of digital video voyeurism and distribution after posting a 40-minute YouTube video filmed at Naples Pridefest. Police said detectives learned about the video after the April 18 event. The footage allegedly showed Sheets filming inside a men’s restroom, including recording men using a urinal in a mirror while the men were unaware they were being recorded. Sheets admitted he entered the restroom while a body camera was running and said he went to document “grooming.” Authorities also reported concerns about his intentions, including an allegation that he entered the event earlier while carrying a handgun, which security would not allow, and that he later recorded interactions with booth vendors and police.

Read at Advocate.com