44-Year-Old Man Arrested for Allegedly Disguising as Woman to Record Women Inside Gym Bathrooms
Authorities in Montgomery County, Maryland, have arrested a 44-year-old man, Tshikundi Taty, for allegedly disguising himself as a woman to secretly record unsuspecting women inside gym locker rooms and bathrooms. The shocking revelation, which has since caused outrage among local residents and fitness enthusiasts, unfolded after weeks of surveillance and multiple complaints from women who noticed a “suspiciously dressed female” frequenting the locker rooms of several fitness clubs across the county.
The arrest, made on Wednesday, October 30, 2025, followed a meticulous investigation led by the Montgomery County Police Department, which began earlier in the month after a complaint from a patron of One Life Fitness Club, located on the 20500 block of Seneca Meadows Parkway in Germantown. The complainant told police that she was recorded while in the shower by an individual she initially believed to be another woman.
Investigations would later reveal that the “woman” was in fact Taty, a middle-aged man who had allegedly constructed an elaborate disguise — including wigs, women’s clothing, and makeup — to gain access to female-only spaces in gyms across Montgomery County.
The investigation began on October 10, 2025, when a female gym member approached staff at One Life Fitness, visibly shaken and demanding that management review surveillance footage. She reported that a woman had entered the shower area while fully dressed, stood near her for an unusually long time, and appeared to be holding a phone pointed in her direction.
According to the police incident report, the woman later discovered that she had been secretly recorded. “She saw what looked like a reflection of a phone camera through the mirror,” the report stated. “When she confronted the individual, the person quickly covered their face and ran out.”
Gym staff reviewed security footage and noticed that the suspect had entered the facility wearing a wig, a large hoodie, a surgical mask, and women’s leggings — a disguise that concealed most of his physical features. He was identified after police matched his vehicle to one seen leaving the premises moments after the incident.
Authorities believe that this was not an isolated case. Surveillance and digital forensic investigations revealed that Taty had allegedly repeated the same act at least three different gym locations, including Planet Fitness in White Oak, where he was finally arrested.
Detectives say Taty would enter the gym dressed in female clothing, carrying a handbag that contained his phone and small recording devices. Once inside the locker room, he would either pose as a woman changing clothes or stand near shower stalls pretending to fix his hair while secretly recording women.
Police sources revealed that several incriminating videos were discovered on Taty’s electronic devices, showing footage of women in various states of undress. The material, according to investigators, appeared to have been recorded over several weeks.
“This was a calculated pattern of predatory behavior,” said Lt. Melissa Hargrove, a spokesperson for the Montgomery County Police Department. “The suspect deliberately disguised himself as a woman, gained the trust of his surroundings, and exploited the vulnerability of victims who had every reason to believe they were in a safe, private space.”
The breakthrough came after police began tracking Taty’s movements using surveillance and gym check-in records. Detectives observed that he frequently moved between Germantown, Silver Spring, and White Oak — targeting gyms with large locker room facilities and minimal entry monitoring.
On Wednesday, officers followed him to a Planet Fitness in White Oak, where he was observed entering the women’s locker room around 6:40 p.m., again dressed as a woman. Undercover officers, who had been stationed at the location, moved in and confronted him inside the facility.
According to police, Taty appeared startled and attempted to flee, but was restrained by officers before he could exit. He was immediately taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
Witnesses at the scene described the arrest as “tense and emotional.” One gym member recounted, “We all thought it was a woman at first. When the officers pulled off the wig, there was this collective gasp. People couldn’t believe it.”
A search of Taty’s home reportedly yielded additional evidence, including multiple wigs, women’s clothing, and several phones containing explicit recordings believed to have been taken without consent. Police also recovered small spy cameras, miniature tripods, and hidden lens devices often used in covert surveillance.
Preliminary forensic analysis revealed that some of the videos appeared to have been filmed not just in gyms, but also in public restrooms, shopping malls, and changing rooms across Maryland. Authorities are now working to identify all the victims and determine the full extent of the recordings.
“This case is more serious than initially believed,” said Lt. Hargrove. “We are dealing with a potential serial voyeur who targeted women in spaces where they should have felt protected.”
The incident has ignited widespread outrage among gym members and women’s rights advocates. Many have expressed fear and frustration over what they describe as a growing problem of voyeurism and inadequate security in public facilities.
“This is every woman’s nightmare — that someone could violate your privacy in such a degrading way,” said Karen Blake, a women’s fitness instructor in Montgomery County. “Gyms need to step up security. This is not the first time we’ve heard of hidden cameras in changing areas.”
Online forums and social media platforms in Maryland have also erupted with debate over how fitness centers monitor locker room access. Many are calling for stricter gender identity verification protocols, while others argue that such measures could stigmatize legitimate transgender gym members.
“This case must not be used to criminalize trans women,” said Dr. Lillian Osei, a sociologist at Howard University. “The problem is not gender identity — it’s deception and criminal intent. Authorities must make that distinction clear.”
Taty now faces multiple charges, including unlawful visual surveillance, trespassing, identity fraud, and invasion of privacy. Under Maryland law, unlawful visual surveillance carries a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine per offense, though charges could multiply if multiple victims are identified.
He is currently being held without bond pending a court hearing. Police sources indicate that the case may be handed over to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, which could pursue additional charges related to digital distribution of illicit recordings if evidence suggests he shared the footage online.
Detectives are also working with the FBI’s cybercrime unit to determine whether any of the videos were uploaded to internet forums or dark web platforms.
Experts describe voyeurism as a compulsive behavior often linked to deeper psychological issues, including anxiety, sexual addiction, or personality disorders. According to Dr. Matthew Kline, a forensic psychologist specializing in sexual deviance, individuals who engage in voyeurism often derive thrill from “watching without consent,” which fuels a sense of power and control.
“Voyeurs often believe they are committing harmless acts,” Dr. Kline explained. “But the emotional trauma inflicted on victims is profound. It creates fear, humiliation, and long-term trust issues. What makes this case disturbing is the deliberate disguise — it indicates premeditation and deception, not impulse.”
The Montgomery County case underscores a growing national trend of privacy violations in gyms and locker rooms across the United States. Over the past five years, dozens of similar cases have emerged — often involving covert cameras hidden in showers, air vents, or behind mirrors.
A 2024 report by the U.S. Department of Justice found that incidents of “visual sexual exploitation” in public facilities have increased by 47% since 2019, largely due to the accessibility of miniature recording devices and the rise of online fetish markets for voyeuristic content.
Gym chains across the country have since been pressured to enhance surveillance and restrict access to locker rooms. Still, the Montgomery case reveals how easily such safeguards can be bypassed through disguise and deception.
In the aftermath of the arrest, several fitness centers in Maryland have begun reviewing their locker room policies. Planet Fitness issued a public statement reaffirming its commitment to member safety:
“We take this matter extremely seriously. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and have reinforced locker room monitoring protocols across all our locations. Privacy and safety remain our top priorities.”
Local women’s advocacy organizations have called for state legislation mandating locker room security audits and panic buttons in gym bathrooms.
“It’s not enough to rely on trust,” said Marianne Cole, director of the Maryland Women’s Defense Initiative. “Every public changing space must be equipped with visible security measures that deter predators and protect users.”
The arrest of Tshikundi Taty has not only rattled the Maryland community but also sparked broader discussions about gender, safety, and surveillance ethics. Some activists warn that the case may be misused in political debates about gendered spaces, while others insist that the focus must remain on criminal accountability.
“This is not about gender identity,” said civil rights attorney Daniel Rivers. “This is about a man who intentionally deceived people to commit a sexual crime. We must not let such acts be weaponized to undermine legitimate gender inclusion debates.”
As the investigation deepens, authorities are urging potential victims to come forward. Police have established a dedicated hotline for individuals who believe they were recorded at One Life Fitness, Planet Fitness, or other gyms frequented by the suspect.
“Even if you are unsure, reach out,” Lt. Hargrove appealed. “Every detail helps us build a complete picture and ensure justice for the victims.”
Taty’s preliminary court hearing is scheduled for November 6, 2025, at the Montgomery County District Court, where prosecutors are expected to request a psychological evaluation and continued detention pending trial.
The disturbing case of Tshikundi Taty, the 44-year-old man accused of disguising himself as a woman to record unsuspecting victims, is a chilling reminder of how modern technology and deception can be weaponized to violate privacy. It has shaken the sense of safety among women who simply wanted to exercise in peace, exposing vulnerabilities in gym security systems nationwide.
As the legal proceedings unfold, one thing remains clear — this incident will likely reshape how fitness centers, lawmakers, and the public view privacy in shared spaces.
What began as a complaint from one woman in Germantown has now become a national conversation about trust, gender, and the need for vigilance in protecting personal privacy in an age where boundaries are increasingly blurred.