Man arrested, accused of secretly recording 2 women as they showered in Penn State dorm
State College PA October 24 2023
A Boalsburg man was arrested Friday after two women alleged he surreptitiously recorded them as they showered in a Penn State dorm.
Xinyu Li, 24, admitted to recording the women earlier this month after illegally entering Hamilton Hall, Penn State police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. Li — who is not affiliated with the university or otherwise permitted to enter the building — gained access to the dorm by following others through the door, police wrote.
He was charged with two misdemeanor counts of invasion of privacy, but police wrote detectives found five videos of people showering on his phone. He was also charged with two felony count of criminal trespass.
“The safety of our campus community is always Penn State’s top priority, and we are grateful that University Police and Public Safety was able to identify the person believed to be responsible for these disturbing incidents,” Penn State police public information officer Jacqueline Sheader wrote in an email Monday. “UPPS, alongside numerous other departments and partners, work hard to develop and nurture the safest possible environment and to provide security services for students, faculty, staff and visitors. UPPS reminds the community that following critical safety protocols — such as not permitting unknown individuals access to residence halls — are important to help to keep our campus safe.”
Each of the two women who came forward with allegations told investigators they were showering on the third floor when they noticed Li recording them, police wrote. One woman told police Li used his cellphone from above the shower stall, while the other said Li took photos of her from under the stall.
The description of the phone offered by each woman was similar, police wrote. Li told a detective he deleted the videos because he “felt guilty,” police wrote.
A defense lawyer was not listed. The charging document identified him as the founder and president of a Cumberland County-based delivery, moving and storage service for college students. Sheader wrote he is “not a current student.”
Li was arraigned Friday by District Judge Casey McClain, who set bail at 10% of $10,000. Li did not post bail and is incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
