THE WOODLANDS, Texas – A former Memorial Hermann The Woodlands employee has been arrested after investigators discovered hidden cameras inside multiple hospital restrooms.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office confirmed 41-year-old Robert Pinon Shrader, of Magnolia, was taken into custody around 9 a.m. Wednesday, on a warrant for invasive visual recording.
“Our major crimes detectives went out and began to investigate. And five days later, we have a suspect in custody,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Dootlittle in an exclusive interview with KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding.
According to an arrest warrant obtained by KPRC 2 News, construction workers servicing the HVAC system on Aug. 21 found a wireless video camera hidden in the ceiling above a unisex restroom on the second floor of the hospital’s West Tower.
The restroom was accessible to the public.
The camera was turned over to hospital security, who discovered an SD card containing video of a man installing the device.
Staff identified the suspect as Shrader, an employee of the hospital at the time.
“Just like any employee at any business, walk into another restroom would not be something that would that cause management or anyone else to suspect there was something going on if you could,” Sheriff Doolittle said.
Investigators said the device was positioned to capture people “in various states of undress” and contained numerous recordings of unsuspecting employees and visitors using the restroom.
Detectives said a search of Shrader’s desk turned up a second SD card and another hidden camera still in its packaging.
A second camera identical to the first was later found on Aug. 25 in the ceiling of another single-occupancy restroom on the third floor of the same tower.
Am I A Victim?
It’s a question many employees of the hospital, patients, and even family members might be asking right now. This is the most descriptive location of the bathrooms where the cameras were located:
Camera 1:
- Second floor of the West Tower
- Across the hallway from the labor and delivery area
- Located in a single-stall, unisex bathroom
- Accessible by the public (patients, families and staff)
Camera 2:
- Third floor of the West Tower
- Restroom is located inside a surgical medical unit
- Bathroom is a single-stall, unisex bathroom
- Accessible by the public (patients, families and staff)
The cameras could have been placed in these bathrooms as early as the beginning of 2025, according to Sheriff Doolittle.
This information could change as detectives continue to sift through more evidence.
Investigators said one SD card contained 177 recorded images and videos, including footage of Shrader installing the camera, while another held 131 images that have not yet been fully analyzed.
A Memorial Hermann spokesperson wrote to KPRC 2, saying Shrader was immediately terminated, and the hospital is cooperating with law enforcement while conducting a full search of the facility for additional devices.
Readers, just like you, asked why it took several days for Shrader to be arrested, despite being identified and fired by his employer.
Gage Goulding: “Why did it take from when you got called in, the guy was fired, to today to make that arrest?”
Sheriff Doolittle: “I would tell you, Gage, in criminal investigations, you seek and find evidence. You prove the elements of the crime regardless of how long it takes.”
Part of that process is ruling out that others were involved in the secret recording of men, women, and potentially even children.
“We don’t have any evidence to suggest that,” the sheriff said.
“Nothing suggests that so far,” added Stephanie Holman, a major crimes detective with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate and said the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
“We understand that this is a tremendous violation of privacy,” Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said in a press release revealing the arrest. “For individuals who were already dealing with the stress of being in a hospital, to learn that their privacy was violated in such a way is truly unconscionable. This is a perversion that we will not tolerate in our community. We are sympathetic to our victims and are committed to bringing them justice. Our investigation is ongoing, and we will continue to work tirelessly on their behalf.”
The hospital issued a statement after KPRC 2 received a tip through our 2 Helps You inbox, alleging that a director at the facility had faced multiple complaints from staff that were not addressed by human resources.
The tip also claimed the individual was caught installing cameras in a unisex bathroom.
The hospital said it took an immediate review of the former employee’s record and was unable to find any related complaints.
In response, Memorial Hermann said the employee has been terminated.
Memorial Hermann released the following statement:
“We would like to thank the Montogomery County Sheriff’s Office, who is leading the investigation, and all other law enforcement agencies who are assisting in this matter.
We are shocked, deeply upset and offended by this individual’s illegal and reprehensible behavior, which not only has affected our workforce, patients and the communities we serve at our Woodlands Campus but also violated the trust placed in him and failed us all.
Our highest priority is ensuring the safety, privacy and well-being of everyone who enters our facilities, and we have zero tolerance for such conduct. Upon learning of the unacceptable behavior of this individual, who has been identified as Robert Shrader, we immediately engaged law enforcement and terminated him. We also reviewed his employment records and confirmed there were no related complaints filed.
We have performed security sweeps across the Woodlands Campus. We are also partnering with law enforcement on a broader response plan for all of our facilities.
We will continue our full and ongoing cooperation with the investigation and, equally important, doing all we can to provide compassionate support to our employees and all those who may have been impacted."
Anyone who believes they may have been affected by covert recording at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center is asked to contact investigators at mhtwtips@mctx.org with their name and reliable contact information.
How to protect yourself
Security experts recommend several strategies to detect hidden cameras in public spaces:
- Look for objects that appear out of place
- Use a phone flashlight to check for camera lenses, looking for small glassy reflections
- Scan mirrors, vents and suspicious objects carefully
- Choose bathroom stalls farthest from fixtures, outlets, and vents
- Trust your instincts and report suspicious findings to authorities
Recent incidents
Similar incidents have occurred elsewhere. In June, hidden cameras disguised as pens were discovered in bathrooms along the Jersey Shore boardwalk in Ocean City, highlighting the widespread nature of this privacy violation.
Memorial Hermann emphasized its commitment to safety and privacy in its response to the incident.
The hospital system is conducting a thorough review of its facilities while cooperating with law enforcement’s ongoing investigation.
If you suspect the presence of a hidden camera in any public space, experts advise immediately reporting it to local law enforcement rather than risking your privacy and safety.