Police: Moorpark Man Planted Hidden Camera In Bathroom At Child's Birthday Party

MOORPARK (CBSLA.com) — A 53-year-old man is suspected of planting a camera at a home where he was attending a 2-year-old child's birthday party at a neighbor's home in Moorpark.

Sergio Salgado, of Moorpark, was arrested Tuesday during a traffic stop on suspicion of burglary, child pornography and using a concealed camera to secretly record others, according to Ventura County Sheriff's officials. He was released the same day after posting $50,000 bail.

The party was held on July 2 at a Moorpark home, where several family and friends were invited – including several young and teenage children. When the party ended, a family member found the small recording device hidden in the bathroom -- tucked behind a wall that was under construction -- and positioned to record anyone using the toilet, authorities said.

Yadira Amezzoa was among the neighbors who were shocked when Salgado -- a married man with children of his own -- was arrested.

"That's horrible and it terrifies me. I don't even want to imagine," she said.

The homeowner, who told CBS2 that Salgado is a longtime family friend who is always respectful, reported the case the next day.

The camera had surreptitiously captured video of the victims in various stages of undress while they were in the bathroom, and detectives ultimately identified 14 victims who had been recorded by the device, four of whom were under 18 years old, officials said.

From the footage, authorities said detectives identified the person placing the camera in the bathroom as Sergio Salgado.