Victim unaware she was photographed in gym

Historic City News has learned that a former deputy sheriff in St Johns and Putnam counties, who now works at World Gym on US-1, has been arrested and charged with video voyeurism after detectives say he used a cell phone to photograph people without their knowledge.

Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw told Historic City News reporters that the St Johns County Special Victims Unit arrested 36-year-old Jerry Lewis Hackney this afternoon during an investigation that began on Wednesday.

A 25-year-old woman, who visited World Gym, told detectives she discovered that an employee had placed his cell phone in a closet in order to be able to record people as they entered and left the tanning booth.

Video voyeurism is a third-degree felony in Florida. The cell phone was taken into evidence and is being forensically examined to determine if there are images of other yet unknown victims who may have been photographed without consent.

Additional charges are pending as this investigation continues.

Bond will be established during Hackney’s first appearance before a judge in the morning.

At one time, Hackney was employed by the Interlachen Police Department, Palatka Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and St John’s County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with information concerning this crime is asked to contact the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office at (904) 824-8304. You can remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-888-277-TIPS (8477).