An ex-church leader charged with planting cameras in the ladies’ restroom at his former home of worship is making a plea to be allowed to use the internet.
In the past week, 59-year-old Charles “Bart” Lucas of Fruitland Park, has seen a precipitous fall from grace, losing his prestigious position as vice president of sales at the RoMac building supply company and the loss of his “overseer” role at Heritage Community Church in Fruitland Park.
Lucas was arrested on June 19 on multiple charges of video voyeurism after the discovery of inappropriate images on his RoMac work-issued laptop. Investigators believe the images were gathered by a camera planted in the ladies room at Heritage Community Church. Images included those of young girls toweling off or changing clothes after a baptism ceremony.
Lucas remains free on $25,000 bond, but is restricted from using the internet as a condition of his release.
A motion was filed on Friday in Lake County Court, seeking a modification of Lucas’ release. The motion asks that Lucas be allowed to use the internet.
The motion suggests that Lucas needs to use the internet for “banking purposes and potential job opportunities.” The motion also indicates that internet privileges would include “access to his personal gmail account.”
In the wake of Lucas’ ouster from any role at Heritage Community Church, the church’s leadership has tried to restore a sense of calm, but combing for any additional cameras and offering counseling. The church has announced that its Adventure Camp vacation bible school, which was to have taken place next week, has been canceled.