ANN ARBOR – Erric Morton has been brought back into custody and is now facing 13 new felony counts after authorities discovered he planted new cameras in public bathrooms this summer, Ann Arbor police said.
AAPD issued new warrants on Thursday as a result of an extensive investigation with the help of the Michigan State Police cybercrimes unit. The warrants were issued after examining devices seized from Morton’s home on Sept. 6.
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“Between July 22 and Sept. 6, he had clearly gone out and placed cameras,” said Ann Arbor Police Lt. Bonnie Theil. “Even when he knew what charges we were investigating him for.”
Morton was released three days after his Sept. 6 arrest after posting a $100,000 surety bond, and police were concerned he would continue victimizing individuals until his next court date.
Morton is being charged with seven counts of capturing or distributing images of an unclothed person and six counts of using a computer to commit a crime. This is in addition to the charges brought against him during his Sept. 7 arraignment which include capturing an image of an unclothed person, possession of child sexually abusive material and the initial charge of using a computer to commit a crime.
Morton planted cameras in bathrooms in stores, coffee shops, hotels and a public park that captured hundreds of videos of victims between Jan. 27 and Sept. 6. He had just completed parole in late January for similar charges when he began planting cameras in the community again.
Morton hid cameras at the following locations:
- Altar’d State
- Bath and Body Works
- Hampton Inn and Wyndham Garden
- Vertex Coffee (S University)
- Starbucks (Plymouth Road)
- Sweetwater Coffee (Plymouth Road)
- Gallup Park
Police were able to determine that two new cameras were planted in bathrooms at Starbucks on Plymouth Road and at Hampton Inn between July 22-Sept. 6.
Law enforcement identified six victims in the videos and were able to confirm through interviews that some of the video was captured as recently as nine days ago.
According to Lt. Theil, Morton placed cameras disguised as USB outlets or hid them beneath sinks.
“He was not putting them in stalls,” said Theil. “He was putting them in restrooms that were open and family-style. And he would go back later and retrieve them.”
Morton will be arraigned on Friday and will appear before Washtenaw County 14A District Judge Elisha V. Fink, who presided over his bond hearing.
Individuals who believe they may have been victimized by Morton are encouraged to report their information here.