JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro man has been charged with felony voyeurism after police say home security footage captured him repeatedly peering into a neighbor’s child’s bedroom window.
Carl Wayne Deal is accused of intruding on the privacy of a child under 14 years old for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification, according to a probable cause affidavit and court records. Deal’s bond was set at $200,000 cash or surety, with GPS monitoring as a condition of release if posted.
On Monday, October 16, officers responded to a report of a trespasser at the home, where the homeowner said a neighbor had been recorded on their surveillance system lingering outside the child’s window. Investigators reviewed the footage, which they say captured Deal triggering the motion-activated system 13 times between 7:09 and 7:51 p.m. that evening.
The affidavit states that the recordings showed Deal, wearing shorts and no shirt, crouching and even getting onto his hands and knees to look directly through the bedroom windowpane. To corroborate his position, investigators noted that Deal’s actions blocked security lighting reflected on the ground outside the window.
The homeowner reported that the child, who was inside the room sorting belongings in a closet, was in varying states of undress during the incidents. Police believe the repeated behavior demonstrated that Deal knowingly intruded on the child’s reasonable expectation of privacy.
The affidavit describes at least 12 instances of Deal approaching the bedroom window between 7:09 and 7:38 p.m., with one final appearance at 7:51 p.m. Judge Boling signed a bench warrant for Deal’s arrest on October 17, and he was taken into custody later that day.
On Thursday, October 19, Special Judge Ralph Wilson determined there was probable cause to continue holding Deal on the voyeurism charge. His next court hearing is scheduled for November 23 at 8:30 a.m. in the Craighead County Courthouse.
Voyeurism is a Class C felony in Arkansas when it involves a minor under the age of 17. If convicted, a person could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.