Miami-Dade Fire Lieutenant Arrested for Secretly Recording Coworkers in Restrooms

Allegations of Secret Recording

• 🚨 A former Miami-Dade Fire Lieutenant, Manuel Fernandez, faces multiple counts of video voyeurism.
• 🎯 He is accused of using a hidden camera, disguised as a phone charger, to secretly record colleagues in fire station bathrooms.

Discovery of the Hidden Camera

• 🔍 The scheme was discovered in April 2023 at Fire Station 69 in Dural when a firefighter noticed a strange wall charger in the employee bathroom.
• 📊 Investigators found approximately 600 video clips allegedly shot over two months.

Scope of the Recordings

• 🚺 One video was recorded in the women's restroom at Fire Station 66 in Homestead.
• 🗓️ Fernandez was reportedly scheduled to work there on March 12th, the same day the video was taken.
• 👥 The arrest warrant states Fernandez recorded 18 colleagues without their consent while they were using the bathrooms, where they had an expectation of privacy.

Investigation and Arrest

• 🕵️ Investigators noted a clip showing someone installing the camera, wearing a unique watch.
• ⌚ Fernandez was found to be wearing the same watch when questioned at a treatment center.
• ⚖️ He turned himself in and has since posted a $27,000 bond.
• 🏢 Miami-Dade Fire Rescue acknowledged the arrest of their former employee but did not specify his employment status.