Tempe school employee arrested after audit finds he 'misused' security footage, cops say
Antony Cruz (Maricopa County)
TEMPE, Ariz. - A Tempe Union High School District employee is behind bars — accused of voyeurism — after authorities say he "inappropriately" accessed and downloaded school security footage for sexual reasons.
What we know:
Antony Nikai Cruz was arrested and booked into the Tempe City Jail on Saturday following a police investigation triggered by an internal district audit. Cruz now faces one felony count of voyeurism for sexual gratification and a $100,000 bond.
The Tempe Police Department was first alerted to the "misuse" after a district security supervisor noticed suspicious activity while conducting a routine review of Cruz’s video log history. Investigators determined that Cruz had been downloading security video without authorization for "personal use."
A Tempe Police vehicle is seen in a May 6, 2026, file photo.
What they're saying:
Detectives are continuing to investigate to determine the full scope of Cruz's actions and identify all the potential victims. "The Tempe Police Department takes the unauthorized use of security footage seriously," officials said in a statement. "Protecting the privacy and safety of students, staff and the school community remains a priority."
Dig deeper:
On Aug. 28, officials with the Tempe Union High School District released a statement on the matter. It reads:
"Tempe Union High School District intentionally limited its public statements while the Tempe Police Department conducted its investigation. Now that we can provide additional information, we want to clarify an important point regarding the room involved.
The room referenced in the investigation is a dance room at Corona del Sol High School. It is not a locker room and was never designated by the District or school administration as a changing area. The security camera in the dance room was installed in 2024 for campus safety and security purposes related to the room’s exterior access.
During the recent locker room renovations, the District approved the school administration’s request for separate, camera-free locations for students to use for changing. The dance room was not one of those locations.
The District has begun an internal investigation to determine how and why that occurred, whether established procedures were followed, the room's usage, and what corrective actions may be necessary.
We understand why families have questions, and we share their concern. Our responsibility now is to fully understand what occurred, be transparent about what we learn, and take appropriate action. We will provide additional information as our internal review progresses and as we are legally able to do so."
What we don't know:
Authorities have not yet released Cruz's specific job title or what the security footage depicted.
What's next:
Cruz is due back in court on Aug. 28.
The Source: Information in this report was gathered from the Tempe Police Department.