TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Riverview man was accused of filming over a dozen people with a hidden camera placed in a medical marijuana grow facility’s bathroom.
On Tuesday, deputies were called to the Verano Grow Facility in Hillsborough County after someone discovered a cellphone hidden under the sink and pointed at the toilet, according to a release from the sheriff’s office.
Detectives found “explicit videos” of 17 people on the phone, which detectives linked to Christopher Scipio, 27, an employee, HCSO said. Scipio was accused of reporting the phone as stolen “in an effort to erase its data” after it was seized by deputies.
“This man’s actions are repulsive and disgraceful. We will not tolerate this invasion of privacy and exploitation in Hillsborough County,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “I want to commend the victim who came forward, as her actions likely prevented others from becoming victims.
Scipio was arrested on Thursday and charged with 31 counts of video voyeurism, tampering with physical evidence and unlawful use of a two-way communications device. He may face additional charges, according to HCSO.
A spokesperson for MÜV provided the following statement to WFLA:
The safety of our employees and guests is always our top priority, and upon discovering the actions of a former employee at our production facility, we immediately informed law enforcement and terminated the employee. The incident did not take place at a MÜV dispensary, and was isolated to our cultivation facility. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement on their investigation.
MÜV Florida spokesperson
Editor’s Note: The initial Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office news release erroneously reported that the incident occurred at a MÜV dispensary, rather than their grow facility. This story has been updated to reflect the correction.
