Clark Sheriff: Hidden cameras used to record nude girls

A 66-year-old Moorefield Twp. man is awaiting arraignment on 36 felony charges accusing him of using hidden cameras to secretly film two girls he knew while they were naked.

Jeffrey Ballard is in the Clark County Jail and on 31 counts of illegal use of minor in nudity-oriented material, two counts of voyeurism and three counts of tampering with evidence.

“This individual had knowledge of how to install these hidden covert camera recording devices, in a manner that no one had any idea that this was actually taking place,” Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly said.

Sheriff’s detectives started their investigation into Ballard’s activities in July.

The two girls, ages 16 and 12, saw inappropriate pictures of themselves on Ballard’s phone and their father reported the crime.

Once Ballard learned of the investigation, he tried deleting photos and videos from his hard drive, Kelly said.

Working with the prosecutor’s and attorney general’s offices, the sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at Ballard’s home July 31. Officers seized digital cameras, computers and Ballard’s cell phone.

Detectives found 41 still photos of the two girls on his phone and the attorney general’s office discovered 31 videos on his computer.

“It’s very disturbing when you have children involved who are invaded and harmed,” Kelly said. ”They are innocent, and an individual takes that innocence away.”

Kelly said his office does not have any evidence that Ballard has shared these videos, but noted detectives are continuing to investigate the case.

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