Palermo Man Arrested in Connection with Hidden Camera Allegedly Found in Bathroom
PALERMO, CA — “On September 21, 2026, deputies with the Butte County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a call for service at a residence in the Palermo area of Butte County for a report of a concealed camera which had been located in the bathroom of the residence. It was alleged that one of the residents of the home, James Lopez, 34, had installed the concealed camera.
Deputies and detectives responded to the home to conduct an investigation. As the investigation progressed, detectives determined Lopez was employed by the Paradise Unified School District as the director of transportation. Detectives also located evidence which provided probable cause to believe Lopez had been transporting a firearm inside a vehicle he routinely drove to work.
Detectives immediately began efforts to locate Lopez, obtained a felony arrest warrant for the firearm violation, and notified the Paradise Police Department, which also began assisting with the investigation.
During the course of the investigation, the Paradise Police Department located evidence indicating Lopez had taken property from the Paradise Unified School District and had used a school district credit card without authorization. The Paradise Police Department subsequently obtained a separate felony arrest warrant for Lopez.
The Butte County Sheriff’s Office and the Paradise Police Department are actively attempting to locate Lopez. This investigation remains ongoing, and additional details will be released as they become available. Anyone with information regarding Lopez’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 538-7322.”
