Villanova Student Accused Of "Upskirting" Young Girls: DA's Office

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said Wednesday a 19-year-old Marple Township man has been arrested on felony charges, including child pornography and invasion of privacy, after investigators discovered he was allegedly taking photos of women in restrooms.

Vincent Kane, 19, of Broomall, has been charged with possession of child pornography; sexual abuse of children; criminal use of a communications facility; intercepting communications all of which are felony charges, the DA's office said. Kane has also been charged with invasion of privacy and the creation of obscene materials, which are both misdemeanor charges, according to the DA's office.

The DA's office said Kane surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, Oct. 26 and was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Leon Hunter who set bail at ten percent of $50,000 which was posted. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3, according to the DA's office.

Kane's bail agreement stipulates he must undergo a psychosexual evaluation, cannot have internet access, cannot have contact with minors, and cannot have access to Villanova University, the DA's office said.

Kane is accused of "up-skirting" individuals and using a hidden cell phone camera to take video of individuals in public areas and restrooms, including on the campus of Villanova University and a CVS Pharmacy, without the victims’ knowledge or consent, the DA's office said.

The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Villanova University Police Department and began after a hidden cell phone was found in a Villanova University bathroom, the DA's office said.

After determining the phone was belonged to Kane, a Villanova student himself, Kane admitted to taking photos and videos of bathrooms and gave investigators permission to search his computers and a hard drive, which led authorities to discover more than 51,000 images and videos if individuals, the DA's office said.

After examining the hard drive deeper, authorities found images and videos of child pornography which depict children under the age of 12, the DA's office said. One child pornography video depicted a toddler being sexually assaulted by an adult male, the DA's office said. Investigators also located over 300 images of a female victim who appears to be approximately 12 years old who Kane victimized by attempting to capture images up her gym shorts on June 22, 2015, the DA's office said.

"I would like to commend Chief (David) Tedjeske and Villanova University Police for their swift response to this matter of public safety on campus. I would also like to commend Det. (Edmond J.) Pisani Jr. for his efforts in this investigation which revealed Vincent Kane as not only a voyeur but also an individual who exploits children for his own deviant pleasure," Whelan said in a release. "For his own sexual gratification, Vincent Kane surreptitiously recorded countless victims, including his fellow students, violating and breaching their personal security which can never be restored. If convicted, Kane faces prison time and Megan’s Law registration."

Image via Delaware County District Attorney's Office