VANCOUVER, Wash. -- The Evergreen High School science teacher who was placed on leave following voyeurism allegations was arrested by Vancouver police Monday.
Matthew Morasch, 40, was arrested on two counts of voyeurism after the Vancouver Police Department's cybercrime unit obtained a search warrant for Morasch's phone. He was booked in the Clark county Jail.
According to police, the first count relates to a video from a school classroom earlier this month and the second involves a woman at a retail store in April 2015.
On June 16, Evergreen school officials placed Morasch on paid leave pending an investigation into allegations he took pictures or video under the desk of female students.
Students told KGW the alleged misconduct was brought to light by a student who took several photos of the teacher, who was seen holding his phone at an angle under a desk in his classroom (pictured above). Students shared the photos on social media.
The teacher's phone appears to be on the video or photo function and aimed at two female students, one 14-year-old wearing a skirt, and the other wearing leggings. According to court documents, three students witnessed the behavior and told detectives the phone's camera was recording.
The district sent this letter home to parents that afternoon:
Dear Evergreen High School parents/guardians:
Today, Evergreen High School received information about potentially inappropriate behavior by a teacher in a classroom. Vancouver Police were immediately called in to begin an investigation. Evergreen High School is cooperating fully with the investigation and will take any necessary action based on the findings of the investigation.
The second video investigators uncovered on Morasch's phone appears to show that he's kneeling down to record under a woman's dress as she looks at a bookshelf in a Battle Ground Goodwill store, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Morasch was charged with two counts of voyeurism in court Tuesday morning. His bail was set at $5,000.
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