AMMON, Idaho — An Idaho man who identifies as a woman has plead guilty to a charge of felony voyeurism after he recorded video footage of a teenager trying on a swimsuit in a Target fitting room.
Sean Patrick Smith, 46, who goes by Shauna Patricia Smith, was to go before a jury within days, but on Oct. 17, he unexpectedly entered a guilty plea of “Video Voyeurism Without Mutual Consent” before District Judge Joel Tingey.
As previously reported, Smith was arrested in July after admitting to a detective that he “had made videos in the past of women undressing” and that he “makes these videos for the ‘same reason men go online to look at pornography.’”
He had been confronted by the mother of the teen following the incident, but ran out of the store and took off in his vehicle. A police detective then caught up with Smith at his home.
The unidentified 18-year-old victim had reportedly been trying on a swimsuit in the unisex fitting room of the Ammon Target when she noticed Smith holding a phone over the separator.
“The woman was begging for help as she chased the man out the door,” a witness told East Idaho News. “She kept saying she wanted those pictures deleted.”
Smith, who was wearing a dress and wig, was later tracked to his home, where he was questioned.
Smith is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 28. He faces up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
As previously reported, in April, Target outlined its company policy on restroom and fitting room use following controversy over the “bathroom bills” passed in North Carolina and Mississippi.
“In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways. Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity,” the announcement said.
The revelation drew both applause and criticism, and some vowed to discontinue shopping at Target until it changed its policy. The Mississippi-based American Family Association (AFA) soon also launched an official pledge campaign to boycott Target, which resulted in over a million signatures.
But CEO Brian Cornell defended the company’s policy, stating, “[W]e’re going to continue to embrace our belief of diversity and inclusion—just how important that is to our company.”
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