A 28-year-old parolee who hid in a women’s restroom at a Riverside hospital and recorded visitors as they used the facility will be sentenced later this month after admitting misdemeanor charges.
Sergio Eduardo Quezada, an undocumented immigrant, on Wednesday admitted two counts of unlawfully concealing a camera to capture video in violation of privacy laws under an agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for his admissions, prosecutors agreed to drop a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia against Quezada.
Superior Court Judge Eric Isaac scheduled a sentencing hearing for Feb. 14 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
The court lodged an “immigration consequences addendum” with the plea. The advisement is to ensure defendants are aware their conviction may lead to deportation or denial of naturalization as a U.S. citizen.
Quezada remains held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail.
He was arrested in August following a Riverside Police Department investigation at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center on Magnolia Avenue.
According to police, about noon on Aug. 2, security personnel at Kaiser were alerted to a man in the women’s lavatory, ensconced in a stall and recording visitors as they used the bathroom.
Guards immediately detained Quezada, holding him until patrol officers arrived a short time later and took him into custody without incident, according to the police department.
“He had a drug pipe in his possession and, yes, officers found evidence on his phone implicating him in the very illegal recordings,” according to an agency statement.
The number of victims was not disclosed.
“Kaiser Permanente is aware of the disturbing reports about (the) conduct at Kaiser Permanente’s Riverside Medical Center,” according to a statement released by Kaiser to City News Service in August. “We are deeply committed to maintaining a safe, secure and respectful environment for … anyone who visits our facilities. We continually review our practices and thoroughly investigate incidents to learn and strengthen our practices wherever possible.”
Because Quezada was on parole, officers were able to place a no-bail hold on the convicted felon.
According to court records, his prior convictions include auto theft, evading arrest, receiving stolen property and felony vandalism.
Be the first to know when news breaks in Coachella Valley. Download the News Channel 3 app here.
Get the News Channel 3 app here.