A West Virginia high school principal and father of three has been arrested after authorities say four hidden cameras were discovered inside girls’ locker rooms and changing areas at his school.
Eric James, 53, principal of Brooke High School in Wellsburg, was charged Thursday with one count of intentionally intercepting or attempting to intercept wire, oral or electronic communication and one count of breaking and entering a non-residence, according to court records.
James was booked into Northern Regional Jail on a $100,000 bond and remained in custody, according to jail records.
The investigation began after a school employee discovered one of the small, pen-like recording devices and turned it over to security.
Brooke County Sheriff Richard Beatty said investigators found footage on the device that allegedly showed James setting it up and adjusting the camera.
“When we opened up that first device, there was actual footage of him setting it in place and adjusting the camera angle to be sure he was getting what he was looking for,” Beatty said during a news conference.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by local station WTOV, another video file allegedly showed a high school student changing inside a locker room.
Authorities later obtained search warrants for James’ home.
The complaint states that James admitted placing recording devices inside locker and changing rooms at the school.
Investigators ultimately found four devices in different areas used by female students, including a dance team changing room, a locker room used for physical education classes and a varsity athletics locker room.
James has been suspended while the investigation continues.
“The safety, security, and privacy of our students are fundamental responsibilities of our school system,” the district said in a statement. “Conduct that compromises those responsibilities will not be tolerated.”
Sheriff Beatty stressed that the investigation is still in its early stages and that James has been preliminarily charged.
He has not been charged with child pornography.
“It is a sensitive investigation,” Beatty said, explaining that authorities initially limited public comments because they did not want to interfere with the case.
Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney Allison Cowden said investigators believe James allegedly violated West Virginia’s wiretapping law and entered certain areas of the school with the intent to commit a crime.
She also warned that additional charges could be filed as investigators continue reviewing the evidence.
“At this initial point in the investigation, which is essentially a little over 24 hours out, these were the charges that we could come up with to make sure that we could get him charged and get him off the streets,” Cowden said.
The recording devices have been sent to a crime lab for analysis.
Investigators currently believe the cameras may have been installed sometime around the beginning of the school year, but authorities are waiting for the lab to confirm timestamps.
Other schools in the district were also searched for recording devices. Beatty said no additional devices were found and those schools were considered safe.
The allegations have left students and staff stunned.
Superintendent Jeffrey Crook said students felt “betrayed.”
“We all feel a little bit betrayed,” he said.
One Brooke High School senior wrote on Facebook that James had been someone he trusted deeply and even viewed as a father figure.
“Mr. James was someone I looked up to,” the student wrote. “Someone I believed was there to protect us, guide us, and make sure we were okay.”
The student said he was also thinking about the girls and families who may have been affected by the alleged recordings.
Another student responded that they were also “very broken” and had placed a great deal of trust in James.
James has worked in education for more than three decades, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He became principal at Brooke High School in 2023 and has also worked as a football coach, athletic director and physical education teacher.
Before joining Brooke County Schools, James served for five years as principal of River Elementary/Middle School and spent 18 years teaching at Cameron High School. He also previously worked as athletic director at Bishop Donahue Memorial High School.
His former employer, the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District, said it reviewed his personnel file and searched its facilities after learning about the allegations.
The district said James had not worked there since 2023 and that officials found no previous allegations or suspicious recording devices.
“We understand that news of this nature is deeply troubling,” the district said. “The safety, privacy, and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities.”
James frequently shared photos of his wife, Kathy, and his daughters on social media, along with updates about Brooke High School.
Since his arrest, three civil lawsuits and a class-action lawsuit have also reportedly been filed against him.
Two of the lawsuits were filed by unidentified “Jane Does,” while another was filed by parents in the school district.
The Brooke County Board of Education was named as a defendant in two of the civil complaints.
Neither James nor the school board had responded to the civil lawsuits at the time of the reports.
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