Ocala police arrested 32-year-old Joshua Gaines on August 9, 2024, after he was caught secretly recording young girls at the Walmart on SW 19th Avenue Road. Security footage revealed Gaines using a concealed camera inside a black bag to target children, especially those in tight or revealing clothing. His actions mainly occurred in the store’s back-to-school section.
Gaines had been banned from Walmart since August 2023 for similar behavior but returned to the store, where a vigilant Asset Protection Investigator recognized him and contacted the police. Officer D. Barry apprehended Gaines in the store and arrested him for trespassing. A search of his belongings uncovered a GoPro camera and two cell phones.
The investigation, led by Corporal Camacho, uncovered multiple media files indicating a pattern of digital voyeurism. Further searches revealed hundreds of images of child pornography, some involving victims as young as six years old.
Gaines now faces 10 charges of digital voyeurism and 403 charges of child pornography possession. The Ocala Police Department praised the swift actions of their officers and Walmart’s investigator, which were critical in apprehending the suspect and preventing further harm to the community.
