A Richmond Hill man today pleaded guilty to two counts of invasion of privacy by placing a camera in the ladies room of a Garden City business.
Charlie Carl Carlson, 43, was sentenced to five years on probation, a $500 fine and 120-180 days in a probation detention center.
Chatham County Superior Court Judge Louisa Abbot allowed Carlson until 9 a.m. Sept. 6 to report to begin his sentence at the Chatham County jail until a probation bed opens when he will be transferred.
She allowed the plea to be entered under the First Offender Act which means adjudication of guilt is being withheld. If Carlson successfully completes his probation, the conviction will not appear on his record. If he fails, then Abbot can sentence him to the maximum of 10 years in prison.
Assistant District Attorney Sneh Patel told Abbot that both victims had been consulted and that neither wanted to see Carlson spend any time in jail but insisted that he get treatment.
He indicated Carlson has already begun that.
The indictment charges that Carlson used a USB pen recording audio-video device on Oct. 26 to record activities of a woman in the restroom stall of Banker Life and Casualty Co. A second count charges the same conduct against a second woman in the same location on Oct. 17.
The insurance agency is located in a strip mall on Dean Forest Road.