Deputies believe hidden camera found in Hocking Hills rental cabin violated dozens of victims

LOGAN, Ohio (WCMH) — A man charged with possession of sexually oriented material and voyeurism after a family staying in a Hocking Hills cabin discovered hidden camera in their bathroom has pleaded guilty.

According to a Hocking County Sheriff’s Office report, supported by three deputies who reported to the scene, a woman called the sheriff’s office to report a hidden camera was found in the bathroom of a short-term rental cabin her family had rented in February 2024.

A search warrant was executed at the property on State Route 664 in Marion Township, north of Logan, where a camera was found in the drop-down ceiling of a bathroom. The camera, which reportedly had a green light lit when the victim found it, had an extension cord that was routed from the ceiling to a utility room and plugged in behind laundry facilities.

The victim told deputies that she, her husband and their 4-year-old child all had used the bathroom before discovering the camera, which was mounted within the ceiling and secured by black electrical tape, the report stated.

Deputies searched the rest of the property and only discovered “Ring” or “Bing” cameras outside of the residence for security measures, although the report noted the rear camera had views of a basement entrance and the hot tub.

During the investigation, deputies spoke with property management, who informed them that Jason Yard, of Akron, was the owner of the rental. In addition, it was discovered that Yard was the owner of the following evidence found at the cabin.

• A partial backup/download of a Samsung phone on the MicroSD card belonging to Yard found inside the camera.
• Several recordings within the device of Yard adjusting the camera while installed in the bathroom ceiling.

In addition, Amazon purchase records secured by the Hocking County Sheriff's indicate that Yard bought several hidden cameras, nanny cams, memory cards and adaptors between 2019 and 2023.

In total, the sheriff's office estimate that 49 adults and 13 children were victims of the hidden camera, and approximately 170 digital files were submitted into evidence, including one which captured a couple having sexual intercourse.

In June, an indictment was filed against Yard of Akron, who was arrested in July and issued a $100,000 bond after pleading not guilty to six charges – four felony counts of illegal use of nudity-oriented material involving a minor and two misdemeanor counts of voyeurism.

After a September motion for a continuance, Yard changed his plea on Thursday to no contest on the first count of the indictment, illegal use of nudity-oriented material involving a minor. The remaining charges were dropped as part of the agreement.

Yard, who will have to register as a Tier I sex offender according to Ohio law, is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 12 and faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. However, court records state that the prosecution's office and defense counsel agreed to a prison term of 4-6 years.

The guilty plea of a felony sex offense also comes with a five-year mandatory post-release control period and a fine of up to $15,000.