Investigators say newly discovered digital evidence expanded the case against a Maryland school employee

NewsHidden flash drive leads to major break in Maryland school investigation Police say additional hidden-camera videos and photographs recovered from electronic devices have resulted in new criminal charges against a Walter Johnson High School employee in Bethesda, Maryland. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)APA Maryland high school employee accused of secretly recording female students in a theater changing room is facing additional criminal charges after investigators uncovered older videos and photographs during an ongoing forensic review of electronic devices seized earlier this year, according to The New York Post.The latest charges against James Mulhern III, 43, stem from evidence recovered from a flash drive that was among more than 100 computers, cell phones, tablets and other digital devices collected by investigators from Walter Johnson High School and Mulhern’s Clarksburg home, according to newly filed court documents, Fox 5 DC said.Authorities allege the newly discovered recordings were made in 2015, three years before the video that launched the criminal investigation. Prosecutors say the evidence led to eight additional counts of sexual abuse of a minor.Mulhern was arrested in April after two students discovered a video camera in the theater control booth at Walter Johnson High School. According to charging documents, WTOP News said. the students transferred footage from the camera onto a school-issued laptop and allegedly watched a recording showing a man placing the camera inside the girls’ theater changing room before leaving it running. The footage allegedly captured four students changing into costumes.The students immediately turned the recording over to school administrators, who contacted police.Investigators say forensic analysis of one flash drive uncovered 15 hidden-camera videos, including 11 allegedly recorded inside the girls’ changing room at the Bethesda school. Some recordings lasted as long as 30 minutes and allegedly showed students changing clothes or wearing only their underwear. Court documents state that several of the files were labeled with the names of students who appeared in the videos.Authorities also reported finding 39 photographs focused on female students’ cleavage. According to court records, metadata indicated several images were taken at Walter Johnson High School, while others appeared to be screenshots from students’ social media accounts. Many of the files allegedly included the names of the students depicted.The additional evidence significantly expands the case against Mulhern, who was initially charged with offenses involving the four students allegedly captured in the 2018 recording discovered by classmates.Court documents filed after Mulhern’s arrest allege he admitted placing the hidden camera in the changing room and acknowledged having an inappropriate attraction to multiple students while employed at the school. Those allegations remain part of the prosecution’s case.Mulhern worked as a media specialist technician, providing technology support for school productions and other activities. Montgomery County Public Schools previously said he was placed on unpaid administrative leave following his arrest.Investigators continue examining the large volume of electronic devices seized during the investigation to determine whether additional recordings or potential victims exist.Mulhern appeared in court Wednesday for a bond hearing. The criminal investigation remains ongoing.ALSO TRENDING: A routine afternoon quickly turned into an emergency outside a U.S. military baseALSO TRENDING: Something went wrong at 35,000 feet - and the crew started getting sickALSO TRENDING: New testimony could change case against former Olympian accused of damaging Lincoln Memorial poolChris Pugh covers trending news and national breaking stories, focusing on the moments, conversations, and cultural flashpoints shaping the national news cycle. Chris worked as a digital reporter for...This article was produced with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by Cleveland.com staff.