HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ARRESTED AFTER ‘PEN-SHAPED’ RECORDING DEVICES FOUND IN GIRLS’ CHANGING AREAS

A West Virginia high school principal has been arrested after investigators allegedly discovered four hidden recording devices in areas where female students changed clothes — and authorities say footage appeared to show the principal himself positioning one of the devices.

Eric James, 53, principal of Brooke High School in Wellsburg, West Virginia, was arrested Thursday, September 3, following an investigation that began with a discovery by a school custodian.

Authorities say the investigation uncovered a disturbing trail of hidden devices inside areas designated for female students.

James now faces two felony counts of breaking and entering and one felony count of intentionally intercepting or attempting to intercept wire, oral or electronic communications, according to court records.

THE DISCOVERY THAT STARTED EVERYTHING

The investigation reportedly began on Wednesday, September 2, when a custodian cleaning the school discovered what appeared to be an ordinary ink pen.

But something about the object raised suspicion.

Authorities were contacted, and investigators determined that the device was actually capable of recording.

The Brooke County Sheriff’s Office then began searching the school.

What investigators found next reportedly raised even more questions.

Four recording devices were discovered in total — two in an area where the school’s dance team changed clothes, one in the girls’ varsity locker room and another in the girls’ physical education locker room.

AUTHORITIES SAY FOOTAGE POINTED TO THE PRINCIPAL

According to Brooke County Sheriff Richard Beatty, investigators examined the first device and found footage that allegedly showed James placing the device in position.

Authorities said the footage appeared to show him adjusting the camera angle.

That evidence reportedly helped investigators quickly identify the school’s principal as a suspect.

The devices have since become a major part of the ongoing investigation, with authorities working to determine the full scope of what may have occurred.

STUDENTS ‘FEEL BETRAYED’

The allegations have sent shockwaves through Brooke High School.

Brooke County Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Crook said the district’s immediate priority was protecting and supporting students.

“The kids feel betrayed,” Crook said during a press conference, adding that school officials also felt a sense of betrayal.

The district said it would cooperate fully with investigators while providing support to students, parents and staff affected by the investigation.

Authorities have also been working to determine whether additional evidence exists and whether further charges could follow.

JAMES REMAINS IN CUSTODY

James is being held on a $100,000 bond, according to court records.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 14.

An attorney for James did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the full extent of the alleged recordings or how long the devices may have been in place.

For parents, students and staff at Brooke High School, the case has transformed something as ordinary as changing for class or practice into a deeply unsettling question of trust.

The person accused of violating that trust was not an outsider, according to investigators.

He was the school’s principal.

And now investigators are trying to determine exactly how far the alleged surveillance went — and whether more evidence remains to be uncovered.