CHESAPEAKE
The operator of a Deep Creek tanning salon was sentenced Tuesday to 15 days in jail for peeping at a nude customer in one of the facility's booths.
General District Judge Robert Carter sentenced Mitchell Bolden to jail and fined him $250 for the Dec. 8 spying incident at Deep Creek Tanning in the 3300 block of S. Military Hwy. Bolden also must pay $97 in court costs and can have no contact with the victim.
Carter sentenced Bolden to a total of 90 days in jail for the misdemeanor offense and suspended 75 days.
Bolden and his wife declined to comment.
The female customer went to the salon shortly before
11 a.m., paying $30 to use a tanning booth, according to court testimony. She had used the salon for years without problems, she said, before a recent change in ownership.
After undressing, the victim said, she noticed a small mirror appear from under the tanning booth's door. The 41-year-old Portsmouth woman said she screamed and later demanded a refund from Bolden.
"I'm really upset," she said Tuesday after Bolden's trial. "I have a man watching me without my knowledge. I was completely nude."
The Virginian-Pilot does not identify victims of crime of a sexual nature.
There was a 2- to 3 -inch gap between the booth's door and the floor, the victim said. She said she stood up from the tanning bed to talk to her mother on a cell phone when she noticed the mirror's gleam.
"I saw the mirror under the door, and I freaked out, obviously," she said. "I could see it shining through the gap. He had put me in this particular bed. He suggested bed number three."
According to state law, "It shall be unlawful for any person to use a peephole or other aperture to secretly or furtively peep, spy or attempt to peep or spy into a rest room, dressing room, locker room, hotel room, motel room, tanning bed, tanning booth, bedroom or other location."
The Class 1 misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of no more than $2,500.
John Hopkins, (757) 222-5221, john.hopkins@pilotonline.com
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tanning salon peep show
If, in fact, he stuck a mirror under the door, then it's more than a "he said/she said". But... ...all the 'bleeding hearts' are right--it's more of a misdemeanor--a nuisance crime, if you will--and it should be dealt with accordingly. Fine the guy, spank him, admonish him, and send him on his way. You can be certain that his wife will make his life MUCH more miserable than any court finding could! As for the lady whose sensibilites were so outraged--get over it, and move on. No one I know who enjoys tanning (self included) is too prudish about nudity anyway.
customers response
"I'm really upset," she said Tuesday after Bolden's trial. "I have a man watching me without my knowledge. I was completely nude."
Here is what i take from what the customer said, basically if she had knowledge of someone watching her then its ok, but if she doesnt have any knowledge of someone watching her then its NOT ok??? I personally do not tan nude because i just dont feel comfortable being completely exposed. But to those who have bashed and degraded Mitchell Bolden, shame on you. If you do not know the whole story who are you to judge him? Maybe you should reflect on yourselves and think first before you open your mouths.
support mr. boldin
Who are we to judge this man so quickly? This mans life and future have been jepordized because of someone's accusations. The lives of his wife and children will never be the same. This man was not even given a chance to speak and defend himself in the courtroom. Another example of injustice. This is purely a he said/she said incident and we should all remember that what goes around, comes around.
Tanning Supporter
What is scary is that anyone can say anything they want about you and ruin your life. When it is a "he said", "she said" situation unfortunatly the public does not get ALL the facts. I am a huge supporter of this tanning salon and know that when I am there tanning I am in a safe, private, friendly envoirnment.
C'mon Pilot!
I understand the not naming the victim thing, but at least name the Tanning/Adult peep show salon! Report the facts, keep us citizens informed. Yeah it could hurt his business, but then he could sell it and give all the procedes to the new Ex-Mrs. Tanning-Salon-Peeping-Tom guy (hmmm I sense a new beer commercial guy here).
Peeps
Too late: Tanning Salon has lost it's public support and will close.
Close salon-
well don't forget he has a wife, maybe children. Closing the business could cause them great hardship and it seems like they will have enough already. They shouldn't be punished for the deeds of their husband/father.
tanning salon peep show
She should've just mooned the guy, then demanded her money back and walked out. Much ado about nothing.
The Old Mirror on the Shoe Trick
Well it didn't say the mirror was on his shoe, but it appears to be the same principle. I cant believe that one is still being utilized! Shame on you Mr Tanning Salon Owner. You should have grown out of that one in grade school! And besides, that was one of your customers! You want them to come back and spend more money, not press charges against you. If you want to look at naked women, you could have taken the $30 she spent and several magazines, strip joints, or adult movie stores would gladly accommodate you.
I hope he was in court again
so his wife could divorce this slime ball.
What a creep.
It seems a bit of a tiny slap on the hand. He should have gotten more punishment and fines or even have to close his peep show...errr tanning salon.