Former Walmart employee accused of making child porn images inside store faces new charges
CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — A former Walmart employee accused of using a cellphone to record images of a four-year-old in the men's bathroom is now facing more charges in Cullman County.
Ethan Edward Richardson was arrested Friday, May 5 by the Cullman Police Department. Richardson was first arrested back in February and posted an $80,000 bond.
The police department said Richardson was taken back in custody without incident and 53 new counts were added. He is now being held on a $625,000 bond.
Cullman investigators said they have identified nineteen victims so far. The alleged incidents happened between October of 2022 and February of 2023.
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Police said all images were taken inside the store's bathroom.
According to a civil complaint, the father of a four-year-old noticed a smartphone with three cameras being slowly dropped below a stall and angled to a stall his daughter was in.
Richardson faces production of child pornography, possession of child pornography charges, and aggravated criminal surveillance.
ABC 33/40 has reached out to Richardson's attorney for comment and have not heard back.
At least one family has filed a civil suit against Richardson and Walmart. The lawsuit alleges Negligent, Wanton, Willful Hiring, Supervision And/Or Retention of an Employee, Outrageous Conduct, Willful and Wanton Conduct, and Invasion of Privacy. The suit claims Walmart retained Richardson as an employee even though "they had notice of his propensity to speak to children of customers in an inappropriate manner."