Judge sentences Whatcom County man charged with secretly videotaping children in bathroom
A Whatcom County man accused of using a camera disguised to look like a cellphone charger to capture video and images of four children between the ages of 12 and 17 undressing, using the bathroom and showering was sentenced to 50 months in prison in Whatcom County Superior Court on Monday.
Donald Eddy Feliciano, 37, was booked into Whatcom County Jail on a charge of first-degree voyeurism on March 26, 2021. He was later charged with seven counts of dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, one count of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and two more charges of first-degree voyeurism.
According to court records, one of the four victims found a camera in the hall bathroom facing the toilet and shower that they and their siblings, who were known to Feliciano, used. They found videos of the four of them in the bathroom on an SD card hidden in the fake charger. One video showed Feliciano’s arm as he plugged in the camera.
The videos dated back to November 2020, according to court documents, with 38 videos recorded in the three days prior to one of the victims coming to police.
“The amount of trauma this has inflicted on people … is quite extreme,” prosecutor Gordon Jenkins said at Feliciano’s sentencing.
Two of the victims read statements at the sentencing. Both said they’ve struggled with mental health issues and undergone counseling since Feliciano’s arrest.
Feliciano made an Alford plea on Oct. 21 — pleading guilty to one count of second-degree dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and two counts of first-degree voyeurism while maintaining that he did not commit any crimes.
Ryan Swinburnson, Feliciano’s court-appointed attorney, said Feliciano was “adamant” that he didn’t want anyone “re-victimized” by a trial.
Judge Lee Grochmal thanked Feliciano for avoiding a trial for whatever reason he did so. She followed the state and defense attorney’s agreement for 50 months of incarceration followed by three years in community custody. She said she believes the victims, and that Feliciano was responsible, which has had “far-reaching” impacts.
Feliciano will be required to register as a sex offender. A two-year sexual assault protection order will be put in place for the victims following the end of Feliciano’s time in community custody.