Man gets probation for Conn. bathroom voyeurism

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A Hartford man has been sentenced to five years of probation for hiding cameras that recorded men using public restrooms in three towns.

Paul Deveau, 52, was caught on video by his own camera while setting it up under a bathroom sink at a West Hartford Starbucks in July of last year. He had faced a dozen felony voyeurism charges but pleaded guilty in July to a single felony voyeurism count that carries up to five years in prison.

A Hartford Superior Court judge sentenced Deveau on Wednesday.

Deveau couldn't be reached for comment Thursday. There is no phone listing for him.

His attorney, Hope Seeley, called the sentence fair and just, "given the fact he has never been arrested before, he took immediate responsibility and sought medical and mental health treatment. He has engaged in significant specialized treatment, and his life is replete with acts of kindness and helping others."

Deveau admitted to West Hartford police after his arrest last year that he had been hiding cameras in public bathrooms for nearly a year because he enjoyed looking at men's private parts, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. He also apologized, police said.

Deveau told authorities he put cameras in men's bathrooms at the West Hartford Starbucks, a Subway sandwich shop in West Hartford, another Starbucks in Bloomfield and an Xtra Mart convenience store in Hebron.

He was caught after a customer at the West Hartford Starbucks spotted the camera and gave it to a store employee, who called police. Authorities said the video showed Deveau setting up the camera and a dozen men using the bathroom. Store employees were shown part of the video and identified Deveau as the man setting up the camera, saying he was a frequent customer, police said.

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