On Friday, August 6, 2021, Robert Franco, a martial arts instructor in Pembroke Pines, surrendered himself to the Broward County Jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest. According to Pembroke Pines police, Robert Franco, ago 64, allegedly placed hidden cameras in the restroom of his academy, Master Franco's Taekwondo Academy, located at 11090 Pines Boulevard.
Investigators reported that on July 29th, 2021, a 17-year-old female student of Franco's noticed two hidden cameras inside of picture frames on a shelf in the bathroom of his Taekwondo academy. The student took pictures of the hidden cameras and then confronted Robert Franco, who then destroyed the picture frames and hidden cameras. The student then called her father and told him what happened. He quickly came to the academy and called 911.
Authorities arrived within the hour and began their investigation against Franco, searching through a seized phone and computer. Police said the content they have obtained thus far included video of children and adults. Authorities believe the cameras had been in the restroom since March when Franco took over the academy.
According to the Local 10 News report, Franco gave an explanation for having the cameras, but police said that explanation was not reasonable. The Pembroke Pines police ask anyone who attended or visited, or whose children attended or visited, Master Franco's Taekwondo Academy and used the restroom to come forward.
"The cameras were certainly positioned in such a fashion that not only was the level of trust violated but so too was their level of privacy," said Adam Feiner with the Pembroke Pines Police Department. He also added that the police department fully anticipates more victims to come forward and need the communities to help to do so."
Franco is facing multiple charges of video voyeurism and was charged with tampering or fabricating physical evidence. Franco's bond was set at $20,000.
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