Boy Scout volunteer sentenced to 22 years for hiding cameras in bathrooms in Missouri

A former Boy Scout volunteer was sentenced last week to 22 years in prison for hiding cameras in bathrooms at a Missouri camp.

David Lee Nelson, 41, was also ordered to pay $61,810 in penalties, a portion of which will go to a fund for victims and prevention programs. More than $6,000 of that money will also pay for his victims to receive counseling, a federal judge ordered on Thursday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Once Nelson is released from prison, the Redmond, Washington man will be on supervised release for the rest of his life and will be prohibited from having contact with juveniles without permission.

Nelson hid two cameras in paper towel dispensers

The cameras were discovered in July 2021 discreetly hidden within paper towel dispensers in bathrooms at a Boy Scout ranch in St. Francois County, located about 80 miles south of St. Louis.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Nelson had positioned the cameras so that they would capture a shower stall and other portions of the bathroom.

A scout leader and scouts discovered one camera while cleaning out one of the restroom stalls. After searching for more, they uncovered the second camera and called the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department.

Nelson, who was spotted near the bathrooms, initially told investigators that he was looking for a cell phone charger that he'd left in the stall, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Juvenile victims say they're fearful to use public bathrooms

Nelson pleaded guilty in January to two counts of producing child pornography and two counts of attempted production of child pornography.

During Thursday’s hearing, victims and their parents gave statements in open court that Nelson's crimes have left them unable to trust others. The victims also said they are now fearful and uncomfortable whenever they use a public restroom, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

The Greater St. Louis Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America did not immediately respond Monday to USA TODAY's request for comment.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com