Hidden camera found in a Hocking Hills Airbnb

HOCKING HILLS, Ohio — Airbnb rentals have become a go-to option for travelers seeking something more personal than a hotel. Offering unique spaces, privacy and often a better price.

But as their popularity continues to soar, there are growing concerns about what guests may not see when they check in. 

Last month, an Akron man was sentenced to nearly a decade in prison after hiding a camera in the bathroom of his Hocking Hills rental cabin.

The Hocking County Sheriff’s Office said the man was secretly recording over 50 guests, including children. 

“Especially in the past year or so, Airbnb has really cracked down on privacy issues. And has been very clear with hosts on the platform that they have a zero-tolerance policy for any sort of cameras within the home or any private spaces,” said Sarah Karakaian, co-owner of Thanks for Visiting. 

Karakaian is an expert in the short-term rental industry. 

She said as an Airbnb host herself, she’s glad they make the hosts go through background checks but encourages guests to do their own research when booking a short-term rental. 

“Is it monitored by any sort of municipality in terms of does that host have to have a permit? Do they have to operate under some sort of jurisdiction other than Airbnb?” Karakaian said. 

The police department said cabin renters found the hidden camera in the ceiling of a bathroom and a residential search warrant was executed.

The lead detective in the case said recorded videos from the camera date back to Sept. 2023 through Feb. 2024.

Garrett Hendricks, a criminal defense attorney, said that under Ohio law, you’re right to record is based on whether an individual being recorded has a reasonable expectation of privacy. 

“What that means is if the person believes they’re in private and they’re not likely to be recorded, then the law generally doesn’t allow recording,” said Hendricks, owner of Hendricks Law Office LLC. 

Hendricks also said the charges can be much more severe when children are involved. 

“If you are recording minors or adults illegally, meaning one of those places where they do have an expectation for privacy, certainly you can get into additional trouble or you have additional criminal exposure based on the fact that it is a minor as opposed to an adult because of the child pornography laws,” Hendricks said. 

In the Hocking Hills case, the man will have to register as a Tier II sex offender for 25 years.