ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County deputies are investigating claims of voyeurism at a local tattoo shop and asking whether women were violated while getting tattoos or piercings, according to an incident report.
The report states investigators got a phone call April 27 from someone claiming pictures were being taken of unsuspecting female customers inside Realm Tattoos on Alafaya Trail.
News 6 obtained a photo that the reporter told deputies was sent to him.
According to the report, the photo was taken by a hidden video camera inside the tattoo shop. The photo shows a timestamp indicating it was taken in 2015.
The person who filed the report claims "many" pictures were taken of female customers who came into the shop to get tattoos or piercings "when the female is changing or removing clothing."
The report states the tipster couldn't identify the woman, but believes the picture was taken without her permission or knowledge.
According to the report, deputies have identified a suspect. News 6 is not naming him because no arrests have been made in the case.
But News 6 has learned investigators received another tip in this case. According to court documents, the owner of the tattoo shop was asked about the pictures during a deposition for an unrelated lawsuit.
According to the sworn testimony, the owner was asked if he sent "a series of text messages and pictures with a nude woman." The owner replied, "It looks like I did."
When asked if the owner had permission to distribute the photos, he replied, "I have no idea who that woman even is."
News 6 has made multiple attempts to reach the owner for comment. He has not replied.
Deputies told News 6 this is still an open investigation and no arrests have been made. Investigators are also looking into whether there are potentially more victims.