Bail for custodian accused of voyeurism set at $500K

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A school custodian accused of secretly filming people in Vancouver, Washington, school restrooms for nearly a decade, has had bail set at $500,000.

James Mattson, 38, was booked into the Clark County Jail Thursday on suspicion of 137 counts of voyeurism. His bail was set Friday in Clark County Superior Court, The Columbian reported.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Kasey Vu said investigators seized computers, cellphones, and other devices from Mattson’s Hazel Dell house and that the 137 counts are just from an initial review of the devices.

Most of the images investigators found showed people using a female staff restroom at Skyview High School since 2013. There was also at least one video of a girl getting dressed in front of a bay of lockers, Vu said.

Vu said investigators are working with Vancouver Public Schools to identify victims. Vancouver Public Schools said Thursday that Mattson is on unpaid leave pending dismissal proceedings.

Mattson’s attorney Erin McAleer said Friday he thinks “$500,000 (bail) should shock the court’s conscience as the ask in this case.”

McAleer noted the allegations against Mattson are nonviolent and that any potential additional charges were not yet before the judge. He added that Mattson went to the jail to turn himself in.

Mattson has worked for the school district since 2007 when he started as a substitute custodian and has worked at various schools.

According to court records, a criminal investigation began Oct. 5 after a woman dating Mattson reported finding a video on his computer of a girl changing clothes in a locker room.