A Des Moines man who repeatedly concealed cameras in portable toilets at public events has pleaded guilty to multiple federal criminal charges.
Tyler Pavlick, 33, pleaded guilty Friday, May 1, to three counts of attempted child exploitation and one count of possessing child pornography, with additional exploitation charges to be dismissed as part of a plea deal. The charges stem from three seperate instances last fall when Pavlick was found to have concealed cameras in porta-potty tanks, facing up through the toilet seat.
Prosecutors have identified at least nine minor victims, one of whom was described in court as “toddler-aged,” across the three events: a Sept. 23 middle and high school cross-country meet in State Center; a Sept. 30 cross-country meet in Osceola; and the Harvest & Handmade Fair held Oct. 4 in Des Moines’ Water Works Park. Users of the toilets found the cameras in State Center and Des Moines.
Pavlick was arrested after an Oct. 15 search of his home found more cameras and electronic devices containing images from the Osceola event. According to court filings, police identified Pavlick as a suspect by comparing video of him placing the cameras with park surveillance video, allowing them to identify his car. Cellphone location data also put Pavlick in the area of both events at the time the cameras were placed.
At his hearing Friday, Pavlick acknowledged placing the cameras with the intent to capture lascivious images and using his electronic devices to search for track meets and other events he could target.
The plea deal does not bind prosecutors to recommend any particular sentence, and Pavlick is likely to face decades in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for July 31 before U.S. Chief District Judge Stephanie Rose.
Sioux City man gets 50 years for child exploitation
In a separate case, federal prosecutors announced Friday a Harrison County man was sentenced to 50 years in prison for child pornography and exploitation charges.
According to court filings, Trevor Collison, 34, of Little Sioux, pleaded guilty to one count each of child exploitation and possessing child pornography. Prosecutors said Collison used a hidden camera to record a child under age 12 using the bathroom, among other images found in his possession.
Collison must pay $15,000 in restitution and serve 10 years on supervised release after his prison term, according to the press release.
William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines man pleads guilty to hiding cameras in portable toilets
Reporting by William Morris, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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