Ashburn Man Arrested, Accused Of Filming Women In Dressing Room Of Marshalls: Police

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A man from Ashburn has been arrested after he was accused of filming women in the dressing room of the Leesburg Marshalls, according to the Leesburg Police Department. Authorities identified the man as Ali Panahi, also known as Ali Panahiroodsari.

The Leesburg Police Department said they began their investigation after an incident on Aug. 20 at the Marshalls on Fort Evans Road NE in Leesburg. A caller reported that a man was photographing a woman from underneath a dressing room divider, according to a report from the police department.

"Leesburg police officers responded and detained Panahi without further incident," the police department said. "A subsequent investigation identified multiple additional adult female victims and a teenaged juvenile female victim."

Panahi is charged with a felony count of unlawful creation of an image of a minor, two counts of unlawful creation of an image of another, and one count of attempted unlawful creation of an image of another. He is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.

Photo courtesy of the Leesburg Police Department.

Authorities said the case is still under investigation. Anyone with more information can contact Detective Kadric at 703-771-4500 or at mkadric@leesburgva.gov. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the Leesburg Crime Line at 703-443-8477. Tips can be sent via text by sending a message that begins with "LPDTIP" to 274637.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center can provide information about reporting and coping with sexual abuse. Their website also features training materials and tips to prevent sexual abuse. The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network operates a 24/7 hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673.