Female band students may have been filmed while dressing, Fair Grove police say

Fair Grove Police are investigating reports that female band students were filmed as they changed clothes in the band room after practice.

Police Chief Adam Mallory confirmed the concern was logged Saturday and the school district met with the police department on Monday. "It's under investigation. Our intent is to move swiftly with this," Mallory said.

He noted the lead officer, Jeff Wood, has applied for search warrants for specific male students' electronic devices.

"We plan to have this investigated and submitted to the prosecutor within the week," he said. He said the report will likely go to the Greene County Prosecutor as well as the Greene County Juvenile Office.

No details were provided Tuesday about what may have been used to film the students and what, if any, images were captured on the devices.

Fair Grove Superintendent John Link said an internal investigation was launched as soon as the report came in.

"Since some students found out about it and reported it to the right people, we were able to get on it," he said. "Once we saw what was (allegedly) going on, we called our attorney, who recommended we turn it over to the police."

Link wouldn't comment on whether any male students had been suspended but acknowledged the district "exercised board policy to remove kids from the situation" during the investigation.

Asked how many male students had been removed, Link said "less than 10" but wouldn't be more specific.

Mallory said the initial reports indicate roughly the same number of female students — up to 10 — might have been filmed. He said it is initially being investigated as an invasion of privacy but wouldn't speculate on the type of charges a prosecutor might pursue.

The district sent an email to the parents of all band students this week to inform them of the investigation, Link said.

"Most of the students involved were in that program," he said.

Link added that the district believes, at this point, "this is an isolated incident."

Top district officials called the parents of female students who may have been filmed and male students who may be under investigation.

"If they were not contacted by me or an administrator, then they were not involved," Link said.

Link apologized for not providing more information, saying he didn't want to jeopardize the police work.

"We'll have full disclosure at some point — without names, of course — once the investigation is complete," he said.

Link said he hopes, when this incident is over, there will be an opportunity to "educate our community and our students on proper use of technology."

"There are lessons to be learned from this situation," he said.