MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A Davidson College employee who was charged with secret peeping earlier this month could have secretly recorded dozens of women going back as far as 15 years, Mooresville detectives said.
"It's kind of crazy, I don't even know what to say," said a student at Davidson College.
Jeremy Michael Whitworth was arrested on Nov. 2. Davidson College confirmed that Whitworth was an employee in the school's facilities department. Mooresville police said Whitworth is an electrician by trade and has done side work in people's homes for years. Detectives said they found multiple hard drives in Whitworth's attic containing footage that goes back to at least 2018.
"I would imagine especially for a freshman that would be like pretty intimidating and pretty freaky," said another student.
"It's important that people take a look at this picture and they may have to go back years with this guy," Mooresville Police Chief Ron Campurciani said. "If he ever did work at your house, you're going to want to call us. We'll show you some areas that we're trying to identify and see if you can identify that stuff for us. Based on his pattern, we believe that these were not isolated incidents and there is a potential for literally dozens of other victims that don't know they were being secretly recorded."
Whitworth is accused of using at least one camera to secretly record multiple locations in Mooresville and the Davidson College campus. Mooresville detectives seized several devices from Whitworth's home while he was away on a hunting trip in Buffalo, New York. Following Whitworth's arrest, detectives seized laptops, cell phones and cameras from his house.
Investigators said the videos contained women in different restrooms, including Whitworth's home and at Davidson College. Whitworth was released from jail after posting bond.
"Honestly this is all just hard to process, especially with everything going on in the world right now," said another Davidson student.
Whitworth's wife allegedly told detectives that some of the footage looked like Airbnbs that the couple had rented, but it's unclear where those videos were taken. Chief Ron Campurciani said the hard drives contained videos from the Mooresville Walmart, Chick-fil-A and Target.
Whitworth is accused of taking pictures of women's legs and feet with his cellphone, according to Campurciani.
"It's clear by some of these videos that the women were aware of this, based on their reaction they turned away," Campurciani shared.
Detectives are asking anyone who recognizes Whitworth to come forward and share details of their interaction.
"Not sure if he had further communication with these women," Campurciani said. "We think the women knew what he was doing, we're not sure if he approached them later."
In a letter sent to Davidson students and staff, administrators called the allegations "distressing." In the wake of the arrest, Davidson staff members prohibited the employee from accessing campus and searched possible locations where cameras may have been located. None were found.
"We will keep you informed as we learn more," President Douglas Hicks wrote. "I am deeply sorry and angry that a member of the Davidson community has allegedly committed such actions. If any acts have taken place on our campus, it is a violation of our privacy, safety and trust."
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.