Private eyes, they're watching you!

'Improper recordings' at Electric Sun
BY DOUG CARMAN/Odessa American

An Ector County woman has filed a civil lawsuit accusing a Monahans man of videotaping her tanning in the nude at an Odessa tanning salon.

On Tuesday, the Electric Sun tanning salon was busy with customers buying lotions and trying to work on their tans and Lisa Crosbley was there working the cash register.

Just two weeks ago, things weren't as relaxed when Crosbley was told a man was there with a camera.

"When that was brought to my attention... that was unusual, so I called the police immediately," she said.

The next week, Monahans resident Alan Steen was arrested in a traffic stop there and charged with improper photographic or visual recording, a state jail felony. He posted bond, but the bond amount was not available Tuesday.

Odessa police Cpl. Sherrie Carruth said an April 13 report taken from someone at the salon accused Steen of photographing at least three women at the tanning salon using his own personal camera. Police later found the photos, though Carruth did not say where they were found or how many of them were taken.

She said the photos were taken while the women were "tanning in nude." While Carruth referred to the evidence as photos, a civil lawsuit called the images "video."

I love the fact that this woman pursued a civil lawsuit as opposed to settling for a criminal trial. I mean who could resist the urge to sue a man from Monahans who video tapes nude girls at a tanning salon? You could build on a new wing onto your house with the loot this guy has laying around.

Also, this city never ceases to amaze me. Instead of planting a camera in the machine the guy just stood there with a camera hoping not to get caught. Amazing.