SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT)— A Sevier County man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced after authorities said he used a cellphone to photograph a woman inside a restroom stall at a local gas station.
Court records show 43-year-old Todd Norton pleaded guilty Aug. 25 in Sevier County General Sessions Court to an amended misdemeanor charge of unlawful photographing in violation of privacy.
The case stems from an incident on March 18 at a gas station on Winfield Dunn Parkway. According to an affidavit filed by the Sevierville Police Department, officers responded after a woman reported that a man entered the women’s restroom and used a cellphone to take photographs beneath her stall.
Investigators said the victim was able to obtain the license plate number of the suspect’s vehicle. Authorities determined the vehicle was registered to Norton.
Police also reviewed store surveillance footage and compared it with previous booking photographs from neighboring Cocke County, ultimately confirming Norton’s identity, according to court records.
As part of a negotiated plea agreement, a judge ordered Norton to serve 10 days in the Sevier County Jail. He was instructed to report to jail on Sept. 24 and will be placed on unsupervised probation following his release.
The court also ordered Norton to complete an alcohol and drug assessment, participate in random drug and alcohol screenings, and undergo a psychosexual evaluation.
In addition, Norton was ordered to have no violent contact or threats toward the victim.
The guilty plea brings the criminal case to a close more than six months after the incident was first reported to authorities.
