TEMPE, Ariz. (KNXV) — UPDATE Monday, Aug. 31: Additional victims have been identified by the Tempe Police Department following an investigation into a district employee accused of misusing and downloading videos of students in “various states of undress,” according to Tempe Union High School District.
The Tempe Union High School District Superintendent wrote:
Dear Corona del Sol Families,
Based on information provided by the Tempe Police Department last week, we shared with you on Thursday that investigators had identified and contacted all students believed at that time to be victims. As the investigation has progressed, Tempe PD now believes that additional students may be identified as victims.
We recognize that this is a significant and concerning change from the information families received last week. We also understand how upsetting it may be for families who felt reassured by our previous communication.
Tempe PD plans to work with school leadership as they continue their investigation. Once affected students have been identified, Tempe PD will reach out directly to families to begin the interview process.
Additionally, Tempe PD has asked families to refrain from reaching out to them directly, as responding to individual inquiries can take investigators away from this work.
Our hearts remain with the students who have been affected and their families as they process what has happened. We remain committed to supporting them, protecting their privacy, and cooperating fully with law enforcement throughout this investigation.
Resources and Support
Our school and District crisis teams will continue to be available on campus to support students. Any student who would like additional support is encouraged to contact their counselor directly.
Thank you for your patience, compassion, and care for one another as our school community continues to navigate this difficult situation.
A former Tempe Union High School employee was arrested and booked into Tempe City Jail following an investigation into apparent inappropriate use and download of security video footage, according to the Tempe Police Department.
Authorities say they were notified by a security supervisor alleging the footage was being misused after an audit of 28-year-old Antony Cruz's video activity.
Investigators are trying to determine the scope of the activity and any potential victims who were impacted.
Tempe Police said Cruz was arrested on seven counts of voyeurism. He has since been terminated from District employment.
ABC15 has been told Cruz, who was a surveillance officer with the district, was not housed at Corona del Sol High School, where the alleged crime occurred.
The room referenced in the investigation is a dance room at the school. It is not a locker room and was never designated by the District or school administration as a changing area. The security camera in the dance room was installed in 2024 for campus safety and security purposes related to the room’s exterior access.
The Tempe High School District has begun an internal investigation to determine how and why that occurred, whether established procedures were followed, the room's usage, and what corrective actions may be necessary.
Court documents said Cruz gained access to the camera that had "inadvertently been left functioning," and allegedly downloaded videos to his personal devices. Police records say the videos included female students in "various states of undress."
The police report said Cruz admitted to attempting sexual acts while viewing them, but Cruz denied that specific allegation in court over the weekend.
"I did not have any sexual stimulation or sexual anything with the videos. I saved it for documentation purposes," he said, also telling the court he tried to move the cameras and notify his superiors about them.
He told the judge during his court appearance that he "felt uncomfortable" with the cameras and that he was "getting denied every single time" he asked to get rid of them.
The district security supervisor notified Tempe Police on Friday after discovering the misuse during an audit. Cruz was arrested Saturday, but court documents say the videos were accessed and downloaded in July.
"There should be more changes, maybe do more auditing," said Justine, a parent of a Corona del Sol High student.
While the district superintendent acknowledged the distressing situation in an email to families below, when ABC15 asked the district about why the camera was still active when it should've been disabled, and if he accessed those cameras from the school or district office, they didn't comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
However, the district did say there are currently no cameras in any areas designated as changing areas, bathrooms, or classrooms. ABC15 also asked the district where this temporary locker room was located, but a spokesperson said they couldn't comment due to the investigation.
"It just still feels like one more thing. You send your kids to school; on top of safety and violence, we're worried about predators and stuff out there, too," Justine said.
The district said all district employees do undergo background checks.
Tempe Union superintendent Dr. Stacia Wilson sent the following statements out to district families:
Dear Tempe Union Families,
Earlier today, we were notified that a Tempe Union employee, Antony Cruz, was detained and taken into custody by Tempe PD. He had been placed on administrative leave prior to the workday beginning on Friday, August 21.
We want to be transparent and share this news with our TUHSD community so you hear it from us first. We anticipate that you may see or hear media coverage of this incident. Additional details are below for Tempe PD’s press release.
Please rest assured that the safety of our students is always our first priority. This remains an ongoing investigation and we are working closely with Tempe PD in regards to when details can be shared with our families.
As soon as we are able to share additional information without jeopardizing the investigation, we will contact you immediately.
Dr. Stacia Wilson
Superintendent, Tempe Union High School District
Dear Corona del Sol Families,
As you know from my prior message, yesterday we were notified that a Tempe Union employee was detained and questioned by Tempe PD. This employee has now been booked on seven counts of voyeurism. We know that this is a distressing situation and these details are unsettling to our families. We want to be as transparent as we are allowed to be without disrupting Tempe PD’s investigation.
We are now able to share with you that the incidents leading to these charges affected Corona del Sol. As of right now, we believe that the inappropriate usage of security footage was isolated to one camera on campus.
We are working closely and in full cooperation with Tempe PD as they continue to investigate and identify victims. Tempe PD detectives will be on campus tomorrow to work with administration to identify the victims. Once victims have been identified, Tempe PD will reach out directly to affected families to begin the interview process.
Our school and District crisis teams will be in place tomorrow to provide support and resources to affected students.
The investigation remains ongoing. As soon as we can share additional details, we will do so.
Dr. Stacia Wilson
Superintendent, Tempe Union High School District
The investigation is ongoing. ABC15 will continue updating this article with the latest information.
