Emmy-Winning Journalist Faces Voyeurism Charges After Hidden Camera Discovery
An Emmy Award-winning photojournalist has been arrested in Oklahoma City on allegations of secretly filming people undressing at a local television station. Darrell Lee Vannostran, 40, who works for KWTV, also known as News 9, was taken into custody on Tuesday following a criminal complaint that accuses him of using photo or video equipment clandestinely in a private place.
Disturbing Details Emerge from Police Investigation
Court documents reveal that Vannostran allegedly concealed two work cameras inside a dressing room at the downtown news station. Police reports indicate these cameras were actively recording, with cached images from the videos discovered on Vannostran's personal cellphone. According to a police investigator's affidavit, these images show the same dressing rooms from identical viewing angles with subjects in various stages of undress.
The investigation began on March 24 when Griffin Media, the owner of KWTV, contacted police after janitorial staff found two hidden cameras mounted to adhesive Velcro strips underneath clothing racks within the dressing room. A review of extracted video footage confirmed the cameras had recorded multiple subjects using the dressing room in private settings.
How Police Identified Their Suspect
Authorities were able to identify Vannostran as a suspect by comparing the station's door scan logs with times when the cameras were accessed or repositioned. Investigators discovered that Vannostran had entered the building during periods when he wasn't scheduled to work, staying less than 45 minutes during times when the cameras were found to be repositioned.
Police made contact with Vannostran at the news station on April 2, where he allegedly acknowledged awareness of the hidden cameras. According to court documents, Vannostran told police he worked with the type of equipment recovered and had access to these devices as supervisor of the company's photography and videography department. When informed he was a suspect, Vannostran exercised his right to an attorney.
Company Response and Current Status
In a statement to The Oklahoman, Griffin Media Vice President of Marketing Houston Hunt confirmed the company is aware of Vannostran's arrest. Hunt emphasized that employee safety and privacy are the company's priority, noting they immediately contacted police upon discovering the devices and have fully cooperated with the investigation.
"We are very appreciative of the dedicated, hard work by the members of the Oklahoma City Police Department," Hunt stated, while adding that the company cannot comment further due to the personnel nature of the matter. It remains unclear whether Vannostran was terminated or resigned from his position.
Vannostran currently remains in custody with bond set at $25,000. He has not yet been formally charged with any wrongdoing, though the criminal complaint alleges serious invasion of privacy violations through the use of hidden recording equipment in private spaces.
