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A Fruitland Park man who served as an overseer at a local church and as a top executive at a regional building supply company is now facing serious criminal charges after coworkers discovered disturbing recordings on his work computer, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Charles Barton Lucas, 59, was arrested and booked at the Lake County Jail on five counts of video voyeurism. He has since been released on a $25,000 bond. FL Church Overseer Arrested After Hidden Camera Recordings of Girls Found in Heritage Community Church Bathroom.
The case originated when employees at RoMac, a building supply company in Leesburg, discovered suspicious material on Lucas' work computer and immediately reported it to law enforcement. Lucas had served as Vice President of Sales at the company.
The Leesburg Police Department launched an investigation before requesting on June 19 that Lake County Sheriff's Office Major Crime investigators take over, as evidence suggested some of the alleged crimes occurred within county jurisdiction.
"Our detectives worked very closely with Leesburg," said Sgt. Jim Vachon with the Lake County Sheriff's Office. "Leesburg detectives had already identified the user of the computer. From there we were able to track his Google account. Our detectives will still be going through all this video evidence — they will need to identify the victims."
RoMac released a statement confirming Lucas is no longer employed by the company.
"The conduct alleged is appalling and runs counter to everything RoMac stands for," the company said. "The material was found by our own team and reported to law enforcement immediately, and we have cooperated fully from the start."
As the investigation expanded, detectives uncovered videos of adolescent girls changing their clothes, along with recordings made inside a bathroom. The footage was traced to a concealed camera placed inside a bathroom at Heritage Community Church in Fruitland Park — as well as a room where young girls would change following baptisms.
When deputies searched the church, no cameras were found still in place. Some of the videos recovered are believed to date back to the early 2000s.
Lucas is listed on the Heritage Community Church website as an "Overseer."
"You would expect to be able to trust him," Sgt. Vachon said.
Heritage Community Church released an initial statement Saturday evening that drew scrutiny for what many perceived as prioritizing Lucas and his family over potential victims. The church quickly walked back that statement and issued a revised version acknowledging the gravity of the allegations.
"Our primary concern is for any individuals or families who may have been impacted by these allegations," the church said in its revised statement.
"We recognize the seriousness of situations like this and the deep hurt, confusion, and pain they can cause. To anyone who may have been affected, we want you to know that you are seen, valued, and that we are committed to supporting you with care and compassion."
The church acknowledged that its first statement "may not have adequately communicated that concern" and said it regrets any hurt caused by it.
"Heritage Community Church does not condone conduct that harms others or is inconsistent with our biblical values," the revised statement read. "We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and any other appropriate authorities and will continue to do so throughout this process."
The church's pastor is actively assisting investigators and has been described as highly cooperative.
The factual information above was sourced from wesh.com as of June 23, 2026.
The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a church employee is arrested for video voyeurism, the shock and anger parents feel can quickly give way to urgent, practical questions: What are my child's rights? Can the church be held responsible? Is it too late to take legal action? To help families understand where they stand, we sat down with Miami-based sexual abuse attorney Michael Haggard, a seasoned legal advocate for abuse victims across Florida, to walk through the legal options available to parents and families navigating this deeply painful situation.
Editor Darla Medina: When someone discovers they may have been recorded inside a church bathroom without their knowledge or consent, what are the immediate legal options available to them?
Attorney Michael Haggard: There are two tracks running simultaneously — criminal and civil. On the criminal side, law enforcement handles that. But on the civil side, victims have the right to file a lawsuit against the individual responsible and, in many cases, against the institution itself. Churches are not above the law, and when something like this happens on their property, questions about negligence and institutional responsibility come into play very quickly.
Medina: Can the church itself be held legally liable, even if leadership wasn't directly aware of what was happening?
Haggard: Absolutely. Florida law recognizes what's called negligent supervision and negligent retention. If a church placed someone in a position of authority over vulnerable people — particularly children — without adequate background checks or oversight, and that person caused harm, the institution can be held accountable. The fact that it happened on church property, using church facilities, strengthens that argument considerably.
Medina: What about victims who were minors at the time the recordings were made? Are there special protections for them under Florida law?
Haggard: The statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse victims has been extended, and in some cases eliminated entirely, meaning adults who were victimized as children can still come forward years or even decades later. That matters enormously when you're dealing with recordings that may span many years. Victims should not assume it's too late to act — that's one of the most common misconceptions I encounter.
Medina: What would you say to someone who is just now learning they may have been a victim?
Haggard: The first thing I would tell them is that what happened to them was not their fault, and that they have rights. Document everything you can remember — dates, places, circumstances. Then consult with an attorney who handles these cases before speaking to anyone else, including insurance representatives or church officials. An experienced attorney can protect your rights from day one and help you understand exactly what options are available based on the specific facts of your situation.
If you or someone you love may have been affected by video voyeurism or any form of sexual abuse, you do not have to face this alone. The Legal Herald is here to help connect you with an experienced attorney who can answer your questions, protect your rights, and guide you through every step of the legal process — at no cost and with no obligation. Call or contact today to request your free consultation and take the first step toward accountability and healing.
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