A Southern father of three and high school principal was arrested after four secret cameras were found inside the girls’ locker room. 

Eric James, 53, was charged on Thursday on one count of intentionally intercepting or attempting to intercept wire, oral, or electronic communication and one count of breaking and entering a non-residence, according to court records. 

James is the principal of Brooke High School in Wellsburg, West Virginia, about 45 minutes west of Pittsburgh. 

He was booked into the Northern Regional Jail on a $100,000 bond and remains in custody, per the county’s jail logs. 

The school district said in a statement that a school employee found the recording devices and that James has been suspended as the investigation continues. 

‘The safety, security, and privacy of our students are fundamental responsibilities of our school system. Conduct that compromises those responsibilities will not be tolerated,’ the statement continued. 

Brooke County Sheriff Richard Beatty told reporters at a press conference that James was seen on video setting up the pen-like recording device after it was recovered by a security guard.

‘When we opened up that first device, there was actual footage of him setting it in place and adjusting the camera angle to be sure he was getting what he was looking for,’ Beatty said.

Principal Eric James was arrested and suspended after authorities located multiple recording devices in female locker rooms throughout his high school. He is pictured above with his wife Kathy

James was booked into the Northern Regional Jail on one count of intentionally intercepting or attempting to intercept wire, oral, or electronic communication and one count of breaking and entering a non-residence 

James has served as the Brooke High School principal since 2023

A criminal complaint obtained by local Fox affiliate WTOV stated that another video file showed a high school student changing in the locker room. 

A security guard who discovered the recording device reported it to the sheriff’s office and an investigation was launched.

Deputies obtained search warrants for James’s home. The complaint stated that James admitted to placing the devices in the locker and changing rooms. 

The four recording devices were located in different female lockers and changing rooms throughout the school, including a changing room used by the dance team, a locker room for physical education classes and a locker room for varsity athletes. 

Beatty told reporters that James has been preliminarily charged. The former principal has not been charged with child pornography. 

‘It is a sensitive investigation. That is why we haven’t made public comment prior (to the news conference). We didn’t want to jeopardize where we were at currently in this investigation,’ the sheriff said. 

Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney Allison Cowden explained that James violated a wiretapping law and entered an area in the school with the intent to commit a crime. She added that James could face more charges. 

‘At this initial point in the investigation, which is essentially a little over 24 hours out, these were the charges that we could come up with to make sure that we could get him charged and get him off the streets,’ Cowden added. 

James has also worked as a football coach, athletic director and physical education teacher, according to his LinkedIn profile 

Superintendent Jeffrey Crook told reporters that the students felt ‘betrayed,’ adding: ‘We all feel a little bit betrayed.’ 

Beatty said that the other schools in the district have been swept for recording devices and confirmed that they were safe. 

The recordings have been sent to a crime lab. The sheriff said they believe the devices have only been present since the beginning of the school year, but the lab will confirm timestamps. 

The case has rattled the West Virginia community, leaving students who looked up to James feeling broken and betrayed. 

One high school senior wrote in a lengthy Facebook post that he was ‘shocked’ and ‘confused’ by his principal’s arrest. 

‘Mr. James was someone I looked up to. Someone I believed was there to protect us, guide us, and make sure we were okay. I recently even told him that I saw him as a father figure because of how much I respected him and trusted him. I genuinely believed he was someone who would always do the right thing,’ the student wrote. 

‘But as hurt and confused as I am, I also can’t stop thinking about the families and the women who may have been affected by all of this. Whatever they are going through right now, I can only imagine how difficult and overwhelming this situation must be for them and their families.’ 

Another student agreed in the comments, writing, ‘I’m also very Broken right now too. I put a lot of trust into Mr James and looked up to him.’ 

Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney Allison Cowden said initial charges against James were intended to ‘get him off the streets’ 

The principal boasts over three decades in education, according to his LinkedIn profile. 

He has served as a principal at Brooke County Schools since 2023 and also coached the football team. 

James also served as a principal for five years at River Elementary/Middle School and taught at Cameron High School for 18 years before that. He also served as an athletic director at Bishop Donahue Memorial High School. 

His former employer, the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District, said in a statement that it was aware of the allegations against him. 

The district said that although James had not worked there since 2023, it conducted a sweep and review of his personnel file and found no prior allegations or suspicious devices. 

‘We understand that news of this nature is deeply troubling. The safety, privacy, and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities. Upon learning of this situation, we took immediate and proactive steps to ensure the security of our facilities and protect our school community,’ the district added.  

James frequently shares photos of his daughters and wife Kathy on social media as well as updates about the high school. 

Since his arrest, three different civil lawsuits and a class action have been filed against him. Two lawsuits were filed by ‘Jane Does’ and another lawsuit was filed by parents in the district. 

The Brooke County Board of Education was also named as a defendant in two civil complaints, according to court records. The board or James has yet to respond to the civil suits. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to the district and James’s defense attorney for comment. The Daily Mail also asked the sheriff’s office for an update on the investigation.