Bend scuba store owner arraigned in hidden-camera case

The owner of a southwest Bend scuba and water sports business was arraigned on one count of invasion of personal privacy, a Class C felony, on Thursday.

Dennis James Snyder, 63, from Bend, is the owner of Fins Scuba and Water Sports at 155 SW Century Drive

According to investigators, a 20-year-old Bend man filed a complaint with police in May after finding a camera in the bathroom in Snyder’s business.

According to the indictment, Snyder recorded the victim while he was naked in the restroom on May 25.

Snyder was ordered to be fingerprinted and booked into the Deschutes County Jail. He is to have no contact with the victim and is not allowed to have any recording devices.

In May, Bend police sought and were granted search warrants for the business, as well as Snyder’s home in rural Deschutes County, Bend Police Lt. Clint Burleigh said. Evidence was obtained in the search, and Snyder was arrested by citation at the time, initially on a misdemeanor charge.

Police seized several items during the raids that require analysis as the investigation continues. Burleigh also said police don’t know how long the camera was there, or if other customers and/or employees were subjected to a violation of personal privacy.

Snyder is scheduled to be back in court for a plea hearing on August 2.