GUILDERLAND — Caught in the act, a peeping Tom was arrested by the Guilderland Police last week at the Cumberland Farms on 1870 Western Ave. Jason Hunt pleaded guilty on Monday to harassment.

An 18-year-old woman reported to Guilderland Police that she saw a pair of eyeglasses peering at her through a hole in the wall of the gas-station restroom. Guilderland Police Chief James Murley said police responded and began to take statements and investigate Hunt, a 24-year-old employee at the store.
"Several young ladies went to the establishment. One of them had to use a restroom and when she did, she noticed someone looking at her," Murley told The Enterprise.

The woman then called 911 and her call was given to Guilderland Police, Murley said.

Since Hunt did not use a mechanical device to monitor the woman, he could only be charged with second-degree harassment, a violation, and far too lenient of a penalty, according to Murley.
"The law is lacking in that respect"Clearly it needs to be included," Murley said about current New York State laws on voyeurism. The Guilderland Police chief has been in contact with both Assemblyman John McEnemy and state Senator Neil Breslin about bills currently proposed in the New York State Legislature that would stiffen penalties for intentional unlawful viewing. Murley hopes to see tougher laws on the books for police to crack down on these types of crimes.

Hunt was looking through several ragged holes in the bathroom walls that were only about 30 inches above the floor. The holes were taped over with a piece of paper when police arrived, and police say Hunt first told them the holes have always been covered. Eventually Hunt admitted to watching the woman in the restroom, according to Guilderland Police.

Dr. Rudy Nydegger told The Enterprise in 2003 that "a voyeur is someone who is sexually aroused, not necessarily gratified, by observing others." Nydegger, who at the time was chief of psychology at Ellis Hospital and President of the New York State Psychological Association, said voyeurism is a type of paraphilia, which is inappropriate or dysfunctional behavior that falls outside the range of normal sexual behavior — a disorder.

Sadomasochism and exhibitionism are other types of paraphilia, according to Nydegger.
When asked if this type of crime is committed often in Guilderland, Murley said, "We might get a couple a year." There have been several peeping Tom’s caught in the area over the years, said Murley as he recalled one particular case about an "upskirting" incident that took place at Crossgates Mall, where a man was using a hidden camera to film under woman’s skirts.

Crossgates Mall does have security cameras in its stores to help combat shoplifting, but does not use them in dressing rooms, Murley told The Enterprise.

Hunt appeared before Judge Denise Randall at Guilderland Town Court on Monday, pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment, and was fined $300.