A former chief custodian who was responsible for the school's video surveillance system admitted in court that he videotaped students with hidden cameras.
John Martin, 42, of Wenoah, N.J. pleaded guilty Thursday to invasion of privacy and child endangerment.
Martin resigned from his job at Gloucester Catholic High School school after pictures -- some nude -- he allegedly took of students with cameras hidden in the school were found on his school-issued cell phone.
NBC10 first brought you the story of this investigation last November. In a letter sent to parents, Gloucester Catholic Junior/Senior High School Principal John Colman said prosecutors were investigating the former employee after Martin allegedly circulated photos of students.
The Camden County Prosecutor's Office announced Martin's arrest the following day.
Martin faces a term of parole supervision for life when he's sentenced in December.
Prosecutors say Martin, who worked for 18 years at the school eventually running the maintenance department and high school surveillance system, admitted to installing hidden video cameras around the building to capture students and teachers -- mostly females. In a probable cause statement, investigators say that Martin admitted to capturing naked photos on a DVR and then taking still photos of the videos with his cell phone.
The quarter-inch cameras were hidden in ventilation ducts and smoke detectors and placed in eight rooms -- some where students changed -- including classrooms, the choir room, weight room, backstage area, maintenance area and football area.
The accusations surprised students and neighbors who say that Martin had a reputation of being a helpful, well-liked person who was always there for the students.
"He was just the go-to guy at Gloucester Catholic," said Student Body president Julia Pedersen. "If you needed anything he was always there for us."
"A nice guy, you wouldn't expect it from him," said a male student.
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Prosecutors say a witness informed law enforcement of the alleged images. The investigation came to light the day before Thanksgiving and Martin resigned his position at the school the same day, according to Colman’s letter.
Prosecutors say that Martin shared the photos with at least two other people.
