MALVERN, AR – The assistant manager at Walmart’s Malvern location has been arrested for video voyeurism and child pornography after a boy alleges the man took images of him on a cell phone while in the bathroom of the store.
Tabitha Parker visits the Malvern Walmart perhaps a few times a month, often with her daughter’s in tow.
“I’m appalled, actually appalled someone would do that,” Parker said. “We’ve experienced something similar with people shooting video of my daughter on a cell phone without her permission.”
An even scarier scenario unfolded on Sunday, according to police. A 9-year-old boy’s mother said her son and a friend left the toy aisle to use the bathroom. One of the boys noticed a man slipping a cell phone under the stall to take photos of the boy inside.
“You kind of get paranoid about the little cameras and things and about who is watching you,” Parker said. “This is just something we never had to think about when I was growing up.”
Police arrested 35-year-old Antoine Jones as the suspect. He’s also the assistant manager at the Malvern store.
“To think the manager would be videoing you in the restroom that’s just creepy,” Parker said.
When we asked Jones about the accusations, he didn’t respond.
“You’ll have to speak to my attorney,” he said, declining to provide the name of his attorney.
According to the mother of one of the victims, police told her more than 30 images and files were found on Jones’ phone. According to a spokesperson with the police department, the FBI is also investigating and more charges could be likely.
“You try to shelter them as long as you can and just to think that…oh my, ” Parker said.
At this point, Walmart has suspended Jones** and its spokesperson said the company is cooperating with authorities. But customers here like Parker are less certain of their privacy and safety in this stores’ public bathroom.
“It will definitely make you think twice,” Parker said. “It will make me think about where I actually go to shop.”
Jones bonded out of Hot Spring County jail on a $50,000 bond. Police have not said whether they believe Jones has more local victims or has done this at other Walmart locations.
** an earlier version of this report stated Jones had been terminated. Walmart wanted to be clear Jones had been suspended from his position.
Tabitha Parker visits the Malvern Walmart perhaps a few times a month, often with her daughter’s in tow.
“I’m appalled, actually appalled someone would do that,” Parker said. “We’ve experienced something similar with people shooting video of my daughter on a cell phone without her permission.”
An even scarier scenario unfolded on Sunday, according to police. A 9-year-old boy’s mother said her son and a friend left the toy aisle to use the bathroom. One of the boys noticed a man slipping a cell phone under the stall to take photos of the boy inside.
“You kind of get paranoid about the little cameras and things and about who is watching you,” Parker said. “This is just something we never had to think about when I was growing up.”
Police arrested 35-year-old Antoine Jones as the suspect. He’s also the assistant manager at the Malvern store.
“To think the manager would be videoing you in the restroom that’s just creepy,” Parker said.
When we asked Jones about the accusations, he didn’t respond.
“You’ll have to speak to my attorney,” he said, declining to provide the name of his attorney.
According to the mother of one of the victims, police told her more than 30 images and files were found on Jones’ phone. According to a spokesperson with the police department, the FBI is also investigating and more charges could be likely.
“You try to shelter them as long as you can and just to think that…oh my, ” Parker said.
At this point, Walmart has suspended Jones** and its spokesperson said the company is cooperating with authorities. But customers here like Parker are less certain of their privacy and safety in this stores’ public bathroom.
“It will definitely make you think twice,” Parker said. “It will make me think about where I actually go to shop.”
Jones bonded out of Hot Spring County jail on a $50,000 bond. Police have not said whether they believe Jones has more local victims or has done this at other Walmart locations.
** an earlier version of this report stated Jones had been terminated. Walmart wanted to be clear Jones had been suspended from his position.
