West Virginia principal suspended following discovery of recording devices in girls’ locker rooms

<p>School administrators suspended a high school principal in West Virginia on Wednesday after recording devices were discovered in multiple locker rooms. The principal, Eric James, 53, served at Brooke High School in Wellsburg.</p><p>Officials reported that four devices were found in the female physical education locker rooms, which included a separate locker room and another dressing area used by the school's dance team, according to WTOV 9.</p><p>A memo from the school system stated, "Yesterday, after students were released, Brooke County Schools was informed of a criminal investigation into allegations that a recording device was placed in a locker room at Brooke High School." This information was also reported by Lede News.</p><p>The devices were removed from campus with assistance from school security officers, staff, and law enforcement, as reported. Additional devices were reportedly confiscated at James' home.</p><p>James is currently held at the Northern Regional Jail in Marshall County, West Virginia, on a $100,000 bond, according to the state Magistrate Database and the West Virginia Regional Jail Authority.</p><p>He was charged on Thursday with two felony counts: one count of intentionally intercepting or attempting to intercept wire, oral, or electronic communications, and one count of breaking and entering a nonresidence.</p><p>The school system announced plans to meet with students, parents, and staff to provide supportive measures while the investigations continue, according to Lede News. The school stated, "The safety, security, and privacy of our students are fundamental responsibilities of our school system. Conduct that compromises those responsibilities will not be tolerated. The school system is cooperating fully with law enforcement and is also conducting its own investigations into the matter."</p>