Posted 9:50 pm Friday, August 10, 2012
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Man charged with felony after admitting his intent
By Kenneth Dean
kdean@tylerpaper.com
A Tyler man, who authorities said was caught taking pictures of women and high school girls on Rose Rudman Trail and at Robert E. Lee High School, faces felony charges after he told police the pictures were for his sexual gratification.
kdean@tylerpaper.com
A Tyler man, who authorities said was caught taking pictures of women and high school girls on Rose Rudman Trail and at Robert E. Lee High School, faces felony charges after he told police the pictures were for his sexual gratification.
Tyler Police Training Officer Doyle Lynch said his department received a phone call Thursday about mid-morning that a man was on Rose Rudman Trail behind Woodcreek Athletic Club taking pictures of women.
When they arrived, officers located Dennis L. Brown, 55, of Tyler, in his pickup, and upon talking to the man, located photos on his phone of several women.
“The pictures of clothed women were randomly taken at the location and at Robert E. Lee High School,” he said.
Lynch said officers arrested Brown and charged him with a state jail felony improper photography or visual recording.
According to the Texas Penal Code 21.15, a person commits an offense if the person photographs — or by videotape or other electronic means — visually records another, without the other person's consent and with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle said Brown was charged after initial questioning into his actions.
“He told officers on video that he was taking the photos of women on the trail, high school girls, and girls playing volleyball, for his own sexual gratification, so that is why he was charged. Without that admission we would not have a case because anyone can take pictures out in public,” he said.
Woodcreek General Manager Danny Saenz said the incident concerns him and he is currently working on a program for women and children to teach them how to recognize and deal with potential dangers.
Saenz said the program will be free to the public and he hopes that many will take advantage of the program.
Saenz said the Woodcreek staff walks females into the building if they arrive before sunrise, and he has had trees and bushes around the building trimmed to thwart any type of criminal activity.
As of late Thursday afternoon, Brown was still incarcerated in the Smith County Jail awaiting arraignment.
“The pictures of clothed women were randomly taken at the location and at Robert E. Lee High School,” he said.
Lynch said officers arrested Brown and charged him with a state jail felony improper photography or visual recording.
According to the Texas Penal Code 21.15, a person commits an offense if the person photographs — or by videotape or other electronic means — visually records another, without the other person's consent and with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.
Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle said Brown was charged after initial questioning into his actions.
“He told officers on video that he was taking the photos of women on the trail, high school girls, and girls playing volleyball, for his own sexual gratification, so that is why he was charged. Without that admission we would not have a case because anyone can take pictures out in public,” he said.
Woodcreek General Manager Danny Saenz said the incident concerns him and he is currently working on a program for women and children to teach them how to recognize and deal with potential dangers.
Saenz said the program will be free to the public and he hopes that many will take advantage of the program.
Saenz said the Woodcreek staff walks females into the building if they arrive before sunrise, and he has had trees and bushes around the building trimmed to thwart any type of criminal activity.
As of late Thursday afternoon, Brown was still incarcerated in the Smith County Jail awaiting arraignment.
