Wake County medical assistant accused of placing cameras in women's restroom

A medical assistant who works for Wake County is facing charges after officials say he placed a camera in the women’s restroom at the Wake County Public Health Center on Sunnybrook Road in Raleigh.

James Perry, 50, who was arrested on Monday, worked for the health center for 17 years, officials said.

Perry is charged with installing/using a photo device in a room and carrying a concealed gun.

The warrant for Perry's arrest says that he placed cameras in the bathroom "for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire ... with the intent to capture the image of another without their consent."

Officials said that a phone was found at the workplace and a staff member picked it up, noticing that it was displaying a livestream from the woman's restroom. That staff member reported the phone to the police, but the camera has since disappeared.

As of Tuesday, Perry was still employed with the county, but officials said they were investigating this case.

A former coworker of Perry's, Ginger Lewis, said he was "an awesome guy."

"I just can't figure out what's going on now," she said.

She described Perry as someone who wore many hats in the office and was in charge of video equipment.

He was being held under a $3,000 bond at the Wake County Detention Center, warrant record shows. Perry is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Perry told WRAL News he declined to comment on the charges he is facing.