Sussex County- The Delaware State Police have arrested a Dover man on multiple counts of Violation of Privacy.

The investigation began on September 29, 2018 when the Delaware State Police were made aware of an incident involving the report of inappropriate photography by a hired adult photographer at the Sussex Technical High School Homecoming Dance.

Through further investigations it was discovered that, 34-year-old Elias R. Stephens had been intentionally secretly videotaping, photographing, or filming under females’ clothing for the purpose of viewing their body or undergarments while he was working for an entertainment company and operating a photo booth.

Detectives were able to identify multiple victims spanning throughout the entire State of Delaware.  On January 15, 2019, Stephens was indicted on 80 counts of Violation of Privacy (Felony).  During the investigation, Stephens had relocated to Mississippi.  He was taken into custody by the Long Beach Police Department in Mississippi on January 17, 2019.

Stephens was extradited back to Delaware on January 29, 2019 where he was charged with 80 counts of Violation of Privacy and arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 3.  He was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $160,000.00 secured bond with the following conditions:

• No contact with any of the victims
• If the defendant posts bond:  GPS monitoring and pre-trial supervision
• The defendant may not possess any device capable of taking pictures or videos

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Troop 4, Detective R. Mears at 302-752-3809.  Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

Due to the sensitivity of this case, and in consideration of the victims, only limited information will be released.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461).  You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@state.de.us

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Melissa Jaffe

Released: 013019 1406

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