SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio landlord is accused of recording a female tenant with a hidden camera inside a rented room.
Police say Francois Habib, 56, faces a charge of invasive recording.
An arrest affidavit says the victim moved into a bedroom in Habib's home in July at a home off Clearfield and Oneida on the northwest side. Police say the next month, he offered her a different room on the other end of the house. The victim told police she became suspicious of a repeater in that room but dressed and undressed in front of it for three weeks before investigating further.
The victim reportedly used a phone app to zero in on the hidden camera feature of the Wi-Fi repeater. She says she moved a dresser in front of the hidden camera, and Habib sent her an eviction notice by email the next day. The affidavit states Habib confessed that he was aware of the Wi-Fi repeater in the room and purposely placed the device in the victim's room. Police say Habib was able to view what was going on inside the room by monitoring a live-stream on his phone.
David Allen, general manager of AllGen Computers in San Antonio, said Wi-Fi repeaters or extenders, are devices used to transmit and strengthen Wi-Fi signals over long distances. The devices might be used in large homes, office spaces or warehouses. Allen stressed the importance of looking out for the signs of camera-equipped Wi-Fi repeaters in areas where privacy is expected.
“Of course in a personal quarters like that, it was certainly inappropriate," Allen said. "Anything that looks like that it might be some type of camera or some type of transmitting device, I’d check it out. "
Police say Habib had 11 videos of the victim saved on his phone, which attorney Joe Hoelscher believes could possibly lead to multiple charges.
"Improper invasive filming is a state jail felony with a minimum of six months in state jail and a maximum of two years," Hoelscher said. "However, in an instance where there were multiple recordings being made he could be charged separately for each offense, however on a state jail felony, probation is mandatory for a first time offender.”
Habib has a pre-hearing court date set for December 5.
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