Teacher admits taking video of man undressing

A Chicago schoolteacher was placed on probation for two years Tuesday when he admitted recording video of another man undressing at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee.

Jaime Jimenez, 39, of the 2200 block of Canal Street in Chicago, pleaded guilty to unauthorized videotaping during a hearing before Lake County Associate Judge Christopher Stride.

Assistant State's Attorney Mary Stanton said Jimenez was arrested June 19 when an off-duty security officer noticed someone was holding a cell phone under a stall in the changing room at the park's Hurricane Harbor.

The officer noticed a red light on the phone indicated it was recording, Stanton said, and came out of the stall and confronted Jimenez.

Jimenez was taken into custody after a short foot chase, Stanton said, and police found evidence that at least five other individuals had been recorded in a similar fashion.

Because of the camera angle shown in the recordings, Stanton said, police were unable to determine if the people recorded were adults or children.

Jimenez identified himself as a fifth-grade teacher at Healy Elementary School at the time of his arrest, and Stanton said school officials would be informed of his guilty plea to the felony offense.

A spokeswoman for the Chicago Public Schools did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Jimenez's plea.

In addition to the probation, Stride ordered Jimenez to pay a $700 fine, perform 100 hours of community service and to undergo a sex offender evaluation.

Jimenez also agreed to forfeit any telephones, computer equipment or other electronic gear seized from him after his arrest.

Stanton said Jimenez could have faced up to three years in prison if convicted.