Florida man allegedly secretly filmed young girls at Walmart with hidden GoPro

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Joshua Gaines was arrested and charged with 10 counts of digital voyeurism and 403 counts of possession of child pornography. (Photo: Ocala Police Department)

OCALA, Florida. – A year after he was barred from entering Walmart for secretly filming young girls, a man was arrested at the same store with a hidden camera, according to Ocala police.

Joshua Gaines, 32, was arrested after the Aug. 9 incident at Walmart at 2600 SW 19th Ave. Road in Ocala and charged with 10 counts of digital voyeurism and 403 counts of possession of child pornography, police said.

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At about 7:45 p.m., police responded to Walmart and found Gaines allegedly secretly filming young female customers. The store's asset protection investigator recognized him because Gaines had been ejected from the store in August of last year for the same suspicious behavior, police said.

Joshua Gaines was spotted shopping at a Walmart on August 9, 2024, which he had previously entered without entering the premises. (Photo: Ocala Police Department)

“He knew he was not allowed to return to the place,” police added.

Surveillance footage from the store reportedly shows Gaines pretending to shop while carrying a hidden camera in a small black bag.

According to Ocala Police, Joshua Gaines was in possession of a GoPro camera hidden in a black bag, which he used to secretly film young customers at Walmart. (Photo: Ocala Police)

“He positioned the camera so that he could film the children's private areas,” police said. “Most of his actions took place in the back-to-school area, where many young girls were present.”

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An officer arrested Gaines when he entered the store with a shopping cart full of items. Police found a GoPro camera and two cell phones in his possession.

Joshua Gaines was arrested and charged with 10 counts of digital voyeurism and 403 counts of possession of child pornography. (Photo: Ocala Police Department)

When the devices were searched, “several media files were found that showed a clear pattern of digital voyeurism” and “hundreds of images of child pornography, some of which were only about six years old,” police said.

Gaines remains in custody without bail in the Marion County Jail.

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“Great job to our patrol officers for their outstanding work on this investigation and their commitment to keeping our community safe,” Ocala police said in a statement. “We also commend Walmart's asset protection investigator for his vigilance and quick action, which was critical in apprehending the suspect.”