Washington man with W.Va. dental practice faces invasion of privacy allegations
A Washington man with a dental practice in Weirton, W.Va., is facing nearly 40 charges in connection with a hidden surveillance camera found in the employee restroom of his office.
Jeremy Michael Crow, 45, turned himself in to Weirton Police Monday following a three-month investigation into a complaint filed by one of his employees. He faces 39 misdemeanor counts of criminal invasion of privacy.
According to Chief Charlie Kush, police received a report on May 14 from a Crow Dental Associates employee who claimed to have found a water bottle containing a camera in the employee-only restroom.
During the investigation, police report at least 10 female employees indicated seeing the same water bottle in the employee restroom.
“There was a lot of information to go through,” Kush said, noting Weirton Police worked with the Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office throughout the investigation.
Kush indicated there is no evidence any cameras were found in the public restroom of the business, located at 389 American Way, Weirton.
The level of the charges is established under state criminal code, Kush said.
According to magistrate records available online through the West Virginia court system, a warrant was issued for Crow on Aug. 7 through Brooke County Magistrate Court. Kush said Crow was arraigned Monday in Hancock County, where he was taken into custody, and released on $20,000 bond.
“It’s still an open investigation,” Kush said, explaining any additional evidence would be provided to the prosecutor’s office.
In a statement released to the media, Robert McCoid, Crow’s attorney, said, “Upon reviewing the criminal complaints charging Dr. Crow with misdemeanor offenses, we have concluded that the government’s case is thin soup at best. We are eager to test the prosecution’s evidence in the courtroom and look forward to his acquittal before a jury of his peers.
“In the meantime, Dr. Crow will continue as usual to provide the top-flight dental care to his patients that they have grown to expect and appreciate.”