A California man has been arrested after he was accused of recording guests at his luxury rental property in Oakhurst without their knowledge.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office announced that Christian Parmalee Edwards was arrested in connection to the crimes on Monday, March 23, according to ABC 7.
Edwards, 44, was booked on multiple felony charges related to the possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, as well as invasion of privacy.
The sheriff’s office launched an investigation into the matter when officials received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Officials first looked into Edwards’ devices, and detectives uncovered over 4,000 digital images of child sexual abuse material.
As the investigation continued, detectives began to learn more about his alleged predatory behavior.
“When they seized his devices at the home, they began uncovering videos of children and women being filmed in places where they should have had their privacy,” Madera County Sheriff’s Office Director of Communications Kate Woertman said, per ABC 7.
Edwards started renting out his Oakhurst home to guests in 2023, and the property is located one mile away from Yosemite High School.
Creepily, Woertman also shared that authorities discovered the recordings weren’t done through hidden cameras but were “actually on-site recording[s] through cracks in the blinds in little private areas.”
Detectives are currently trying to track down any guests who might have been recorded against their will during their stays. Police added that those who rented the home between 2023 to March 2026 should contact investigators regarding the case.
It is not currently clear if Edwards has entered a plea or retained a lawyer following his arrest. The Madera County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for additional details regarding the case.
Following Edwards’ arrest, one of his neighbors said that he hopes he gets the justice he deserves if found guilty. “I really hope they don’t let him out. Right now, it’s safe, and we didn’t even know we were in danger,” neighbor Anthony Polfer told KFSN.
Meanwhile, Amy Gray told the outlet that she and her children were previously approached about staying at Edwards’ home. “He even offered me to move in over there at one point and pay him rent,” she claimed.
“I’m sure he did have plans for my friends and her kids,” Polfer added.
The investigation into the crime remains ongoing as of this time.
Read the full article here
