West Virginia High School principal arrested after hidden recording devices found in girls’ changing areas; probe on

A bizarre case has emerged in West Virginia, where a high school principal has been arrested and charged after allegedly placing recording devices in several changing areas designated for female students. According to multiple media outlets, the devices were discovered at Brooke High School, located in Wellsburg within Brooke County.

PEOPLE reported, citing Brooke County inmate records and local outlets, that 53-year-old Eric James was taken into custody on Thursday, September 3, in connection with the incident. Brooke County Magistrate records indicate that James faces two felony counts of breaking and entering and one felony count of intentionally intercepting or attempting to intercept wire, oral, or electronic communication.

The situation unfolded on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, when a school custodian discovered an object resembling an "ink pen" while cleaning. Per West Virginia Metro News, the employee soon realized the item was actually a recording device and immediately turned it over to law enforcement.


At a press conference on Thursday, Brooke County Sheriff Richard Beatty detailed the initial discovery: "A custodian found the device and it looked like an ink pen. He picked it up, put it in his pocket and didn’t think about it for the rest of the day. When he got home, he started to manipulate it and realized it wasn’t a pen, it was a recording device. He brought it down here to the Sheriff’s office and we immediately launched an investigation," Beatty said, as quoted by Metro News.

Following the report, investigators executed a search warrant to sweep the school grounds. In total, three additional devices were uncovered: two in an area used by the school's dance team to change, one in the girls' varsity locker room, and one in the girls' P.E. locker room, according to the outlet.

Sheriff Beatty stated that law enforcement swiftly identified James as the suspect based on evidence recovered from the initial device. "When we opened up that first device, there was actual footage of him setting it in place and adjusting the camera angle to be sure he was getting what he was looking for," Beatty noted, as reported by Metro News, adding that the investigation remains active.

During Thursday's press briefing, Brooke County Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Crook confirmed that district officials were informed about the hidden devices the previous afternoon. "Our main priority is our kids," Crook expressed. "The kids feel betrayed. I think we all feel a little bit betrayed. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement, and we will continue to do that." Court records show that James is currently being held on a $100,000 bond, with a preliminary hearing set for September 14.