South Florida police captain arrested on video voyeurism charge, police confirm

A police captain in South Florida was arrested on a video voyeurism charge after he was accused of filming a woman while she was in the shower.

Arrest documents show that the victim noticed a small black object beneath the bathroom door. Initially she thought it may have been a bug, but on the other side of the door she said she found the suspect lying on the floor.

That suspect has since been identified as North Miami Beach police Capt. Jose Maya.

He appeared in court on Wednesday morning to face the video voyeurism charge.

The victim told police she caught Maya about a year ago on the other side of the bathroom door frantically trying to get up from the ground as she was leaving the bathroom.

She told officers that it was strange.

Then, two weeks ago, she told police she set up a camera and caught Maya placing a recording device under the door.

On Monday, she went to police.

In a Facebook post, North Miami Beach Police Chief Juan Pinillos said Maya was relieved of duty pending the criminal proceedings and the department's internal administrative investigation.

"I am deeply disappointed by the arrest of one our police captains," Pinillos said in the Facebook post. "These allegations are deeply concerning and represent a serious breach of the public's trust."

Pinillos continued and said that the department is fully cooperating with the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, and would take "appropriate administrative action" based on the facts learned through both investigations and in accordance with Florida state law.

"We remain committed to transparency, accountability and holding every member of this department, regardless of rank, to the highest professional standards," Pinillos concluded.

In a statement, Maya's attorney said he was arrested and charged, but "an arrest is merely an allegation, not a definitive judgement of guilt."

He went on to say that he is presumed innocent, like every person accused of a crime, "until and unless the state presents evidence beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."

"We are committed to thoroughly reviewing all the evidence, challenging the allegations through the judicial process, and vigorously defending our client in court," Attorney Eric T. Schwartzreich said in the statement.

Maya was given a $7,500 bond. Records show he posted that bond, but it is unclear when he will be released.