Lang
5/31/25
An Iowa City man who set up a hidden camera in his bathroom has been given a two-month jail sentence.
Judge Jason Burns handed that sentence down to 29-year-old Rafael Lara Cruz on Thursday as part of a plea deal. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office says between March 20th and 28th, Lara Cruz set up a hidden camera in a bathroom at his Century Street residence in the Modern Manor manufactured housing community to unknowingly record the bathroom activity of the victim. He reportedly stored the recorded content on his personal electronic device, which was later located by deputies.
Lara Cruz was charged with Trespass Using a Camera or Electronic Surveillance Device, 5th Degree Criminal Mischief, and Invasion of Privacy. If convicted on all charges, Lara Cruz could have been sentenced to over four years in prison.
Lara Cruz pleaded guilty to the Criminal Mischief and Invasion of Privacy charges, with the trespassing charge being dropped. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and fined $1,105.