Key Takeaways
- Derek Beard, a Dick’s Sporting Goods employee in Lynchburg, VA, was charged after a hidden camera was discovered in a Dick’s Sporting Goods dressing room
- Since the investigation began, authorities have recovered at least 387 videos from changing rooms and public restrooms
- The case raises serious questions about potential civil liability for Dick’s Sporting Goods and whether appropriate hiring practices were in place
Hidden Camera Discovery Leads to Widespread Investigation
What began as a single discovery inside a dressing room has quickly developed into a far-reaching investigation across multiple stores in Lynchburg, Virginia.
According to WSET ABC 13, a store employee, identified later as 26-year-old Derek Lee Beard, approached a woman and offered her access to a dressing room. “According to warrants, he told her he needed to clean it first and closed the door behind him.”
When the shopper entered the fitting room afterward, something appeared off. The baseboard near the mirror looked altered, drawing her attention. “According to court documents, the shopper found what appeared to be a pen tucked into a hole in the baseboard of a dressing room. The molding had been cut away, and upon closer inspection, she noticed a small lens inside the device.” (WSET ABC 13)
The woman secured the device and immediately contacted law enforcement.
Authorities later identified Beard as the suspect and executed searches at his home and in his vehicle. Investigators report that they “uncovered multiple recording devices and storage cards containing videos of nude women and underage girls inside the changing room.” (WSET ABC 13)
The warrant mentions that certain files were labeled with identifying details such as names and schools.
Beard was originally detained on March 14, 2026, and charged for unlawful filming. According to the Lynchburg Police Department, on March 17, he was charged with:
- Creation of an Unlawful Image of Another (Felony)
- Production of Child Pornography (Felony)
- Use of a Computer to Commit Sexual Crimes Against Children (Felony)
- Possession of Child Pornography (Felony)
- Creation of an Unlawful Image of a Minor (Felony)
Hundreds of Recordings Recovered as Investigation Expands
So far, at least 387 videos, reportedly taken in public changing rooms and restrooms, have been recovered, “About one-third of those videos involve minors,” WSET ABC 13 stated.
Authorities believe that this has been happening over the past year and they are working to identify additional victims.
The Lynchburg Police Department reports that more than 1,400 individuals have already submitted information through a victim identification form, and that number is expected to grow.
The investigation now spans multiple businesses in Lynchburg, including Dick’s Sporting Goods and other retailers such as Kohl’s, Target, Walmart, Old Navy, TJ Maxx, Plato’s Closet, Goodwill, and some local establishments.
With authorities continuing to analyze evidence, they say it is likely that additional charges may be filed. “LPD said they are still working to confirm some of the potential locations where cameras may have been hidden.” (WSET ABC 13)
Anyone with information related to this case should contact Detective G. Brown at 434-455-613.
Police have asked anyone who may have used changing rooms at the River Ridge Mall Dick’s Sporting Goods on 3385 Candlers Mountain Road between March 13 and 14, 2026, or changing rooms or restrooms at any of the other the aforementioned businesses in the Lynchburg area between February 1, 2026, and March 12, 2026, to complete a confidential Victim Identification Form.
Prior Conviction Raises Questions
Beard is currently being held without bail. His next court date is scheduled for May 22, 2026.
Court records show that in 2021, he was convicted of filming someone nude without their consent.
This prior conviction raises important questions about what Dick’s Sporting Goods knew and whether they did proper background checks.
“ABC 13 reached out to Dick’s Sporting Goods to ask whether the company was aware of Beard’s prior conviction before hiring him.” (WSET ABC 13)
They did not receive a response.
It is also unclear what his current employment status is.
Potential Civil Liability for Dick’s Sporting Goods
While the criminal case against Derek Beard will determine whether he is guilty of the charges, civil law asks a broader and equally important question: could this have been prevented by the business where he worked?
Businesses that operate dressing rooms, restrooms, and other private spaces owe a duty to protect customers from foreseeable harm. That responsibility includes careful hiring practices and appropriate background screenings.
Civil claims can provide survivors with a pathway to justice. They not only seek financial compensation but also compel businesses and institutions to confront their failures and adopt stronger protections for the future.
A Path Forward for Victims
For those impacted, the discovery that private moments may have been recorded without consent can be deeply distressing.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation nationwide. We have successfully represented survivors in cases involving secret recordings and other invasions of privacy. Our firm pursues claims against businesses and institutions whose negligence allowed exploitation to occur.
If you or your child were secretly recorded by Derek Lee Beard, you may have legal options.
Being filmed without your knowledge or consent is a serious violation of privacy and safety. Our team can help you understand your rights and pursue justice.
📞 (866) 311-8640
📧 info@vca.law
Image sources: Mugshot of Derek Lee Beard, courtesy of Blue Ridge Regional Jail via WSET ABC 13 News. Dick’s Sporting Goods at River Ridge Mall, courtesy of Dick’s.
