University of Arkansas Police have arrested the man they believe is responsible for taking voyeuristic pictures taken on campus.
"Some of those pictures were totally inappropriate and were in violation of law and that's what led to the warrant," said Lt. Gary Crain, UAPD.
21-year-old student Caleb Kordsmeier is facing a felony charge of voyeurism.
"We don't know of any other cases like this."
Crain said the investigation started back in January, when a HPER staff member notified police of inappropriate pictures being posted to Twitter account @HPERprobsUARK.
"Right away we did not know who the person was, but it did not take long to identify that person."
Court documents stated Kordsmeier admitted taking two nude photos of men, who were using the HPER locker room, with his cell phone and then posting them to Twitter.
"If anyone is doing that and posting them somewhere, it should come to our attention one way or another as this one did."
Also according to the affidavit, Kordsmeier said he created the account as a joke to post funny things and images from the HPER. Several pictures posted of students and staff working out at the HPER recreation facility, were not criminal. Just hours after being released from jail, @HPERprobsUARK posted, "Doing everything in response to an issue in the mature, respectable and responsible way and getting no respect for doing so. #hypocracy."
"There are a lot of problems associated with some of the things that are posted on social media outlets," said Crain.
While tweeting is instant, this investigation took some time. But, Crain believes when you break the law, you cannot hide behind technology.
"They will be held accountable."
Crain said the warrant was issued Monday, and they served the warrant Tuesday. Kordsmeier was booked into the Washington County Detention Center just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, and released about an hour later on $2,500 bond.
We reached out to him on Facebook and he said he would be willing to talk with us once he has a lawyer saying, "Since this is such overkill, I will have to get a lawyer."
There have also been several recent tweets including, "The account was well-intentioned and in humor. Two pictures I posted were inappropriate, I understand and I'm sorry," as well as, "I love the HPER, man. Still do. Can't help it if the law is over the top and people have false/uninformed views of a situation."
He also went on to thank UA students for being so supportive and understanding and told them to feel free to write the prosecuting attorney a letter concerning their thoughts on the issue, as he believes it would help his situation.
Since the arrest, Director of University Recreation Jeremy Battjes sent us the following statement, "As always, we strive to protect the privacy of our users, students should continue to feel safe while working out at our recreational facilities. This was an isolated incident that was quickly addressed."
We spoke with Washingon County Prosecutor John Threet back in February, so to find out when candid captures become criminal, click here.
