ST. LOUIS – A former Boy Scouts volunteer admitted to hiding cameras in multiple bathrooms of a St. Francois County, Missouri, scout camp.
David Lee Nelson, 41, of Redmond, Washington, pleaded guilty to four felonies during a federal court hearing Thursday. His charges included two counts of production of child pornography and two counts of attempted production of child pornography.
According to his plea agreement, Nelson hid two cameras in bathrooms at the S Bar F Scout Ranch in St. Francois County in July 2021 while serving as a volunteer. He hid the cameras in paper towel dispensers and positioned them so they would capture the interior of the bathroom, including a shower stall.
Investigators say a scout leader and scouts discovered one camera while cleaning a restroom stall. They later found a second camera, then contacted the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office to investigate.
Authorities questioned Nelson, who said he was looking for a cell phone charger that he left behind in the stall after a shower. Investigators later determined that statement to be a lie and reviewed video from the hidden cameras, which included footage of Nelson setting them up in the bathroom.
As part of his plea agreement, Nelson agreed to forfeit computers, tablets, hard drives, storage devices and two digital cameras.
Nelson’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 25. He could face up to 15 years in prison on each charge.
