In the Woodcreek Shopping center, a passerby noticed 55-year-old Dennis Brown taking what appeared to be photos of women he didn't seem to know, on his cell phone.
Bicycle officers patrolling Rose Rudman Park were dispatched to the fitness center nearby and found Brown not too far away.
"During their discussion and looking at pictures on his phone, they found out that he was the one responsible for taking the pictures," said Tyler Police Officer Doyle Lynch.
They say the photos appeared to be of random women both in the nearby fitness center's parking lot and near Robert E. Lee High School. Investigators don't believe any of the women even suspected the photographs were being taken. TISD says their police department will work with TPD throughout the investigation.
"People need to be aware of their surroundings, and watch what is going on. If they see anything that is not proper, they need to call and let us know," says Lynch.
While those photos were being taken in a public place, and all of the women were completely clothed, Brown still faces felony charges.
"The statue indicates that the pictures taken of people without their permission and for a specific intent and that's what they were able to determine through their investigation," Lynch says.
Police officers say during that investigation, Brown specifically told them he was taking the pictures for "his own sexual gratification."
If you'd like to read the entire Texas law as it applies to improper photography, click this link to be taken to the Texas Penal Code, and scroll down to 21.15 to read the section that applies to this case.
Brown is held in the Smith County Jail. Police say the next step in their investigation will be identifying and contacting the women who they believe were victims.
Copyright 2012 KLTV. All rights reserved.
Dennis Brown. (Source: Smith County Jail)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KLTV, a Raycom Media Station.
