OC School Officer Charged In Illicit Videotaping Of Student

FULLERTON, CA —A former Fullerton Police Department school resource officer is charged with secretly photographing and videotaping up the skirt of a 16-year-old high school student over an extended period of time.

The Fullerton Police Department has launched an internal investigation into accusations that Officer Jose Anthony Paez was acting inappropriately while on duty.

The investigation spanned the last five years of the officer’s on-duty interaction with the public.

The internal investigation revealed several photos and video clips taken on Paez’ personal cell phone in November 2017. The videos were shot up the skirt of a 16-year-old high school student while Paez was conducting a police investigation on school grounds.

Paez stopped working for the Fullerton Police Department in May 2019. The Fullerton Police Department referred the case to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.

"As the elected District Attorney, I am charged with judging the conduct of police officers," said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. "Law enforcement officers are entrusted with a tremendous amount of authority and trust. The actions this officer engaged in betrayed that trust and preyed on the very people he was charged with protecting."

Paez is scheduled to be arraigned on October 2, 2019, at the North Justice Center in Fullerton.

He faces a maximum of one year in the Orange County Jail if convicted.

Deputy District Attorney Laila Nikaien is prosecuting the case.