Man Accused Of Following, Recording 12-Year-Old Girl In Orange County Park Bathroom

FULLERTON, CA — A 33-year-old man facing accusations that he secretly put a camera phone inside a women's restroom at an Orange County park was also accused of following a 12-year-old girl inside a public restroom and recording her, the Fullerton Police Department reported Thursday.

The Fullerton Police Department sought the public's help Thursday in finding additional victims of Jacob Anthony Arriola, 33, of Fullerton.

The news release comes after Arriola was charged with one felony count of possession of child pornography, one misdemeanor count each of using a concealed recording device to record someone without their consent, using a minor in the sale or distribution of obscene matter or production of pornography, peeping, and placing a concealed camera to secretly videotape someone in partial dress.

Arriola has pled not-guilty to all charges, according to a FPD news release.

If Arriola is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of three years in state prison and remains in custody at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Arriola is accused of following a 12-year-old girl into a women's restroom at a park in Fullerton on July 23, 2023. According to authorities, after following the girl inside he began to record her and when the girl noticed Arriola recording her, she left the bathroom and told her parents what had happened.

The parents then confronted Arriola and held him down until police arrived and arrested him, police said. According to the FPD, Arriola has been in custody since his arrest.

Police also said they found a wireless camera hidden in the restroom Arriola was arrested near.

“Pedophiles will stop at nothing to satiate their own indulgences – even brazenly recording a young girl at public restroom during the day, only a short distance away from parents. Thankfully, the girl immediately reported what had happened and adults intervened,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a news release. “Protecting our children is paramount to our office and we will do everything we can to hold those accountable who seek to exploit and manipulate kids.”

Residents with information were asked to email Fullerton Police Department Detective egarcia@fullertonpd.org or call 714-738-6759.