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

A high school principal in West Virginia was suspended on Wednesday after recording devices were found in multiple locker rooms. Eric James, 53, who served as the principal of Brooke High School in Wellsburg, is under criminal investigation. Officials reported that four devices were discovered in the female physical education locker rooms, including a separate locker room and another dressing area used by the school’s dance team, according to WTOV 9. 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." The devices were removed from the campus with assistance from school security officers, staff, and law enforcement. Additional devices were reportedly confiscated from James’ home. He 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. James has been charged 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. The school system stated it will meet with students, parents, and staff to provide supportive measures while investigations continue. They emphasized that the safety, security, and privacy of students are fundamental responsibilities and that any conduct compromising those responsibilities will not be tolerated. The school system is cooperating fully with law enforcement and conducting its own investigations into the matter.