2 More Women Come Forward In Tanning Salon Nude Video Case

EAST HUNTINGDON, Pa.,None — Two more women came forward this week claiming a man videotaped them while they disrobed at an East Huntingdon Township tanning salon and then posted the images on various websites.

Charges have been filed against Jesse Macklin, who police said taped the women at the Sunkissed Tanning Salon. A judge determined that the case will go to trial.

Employees told Channel 11 News they don't know Macklin and never saw him in the salon before. They said police told them Macklin climbed onto the roof of the strip mall and was able to break into the ceiling, where he set up his camera and videotaped customers through a small hole.

The employees said police told them the suspect would bring his lunch at times while recording the women.

Earlier this year Ashley Beanner, of Mount Pleasant, sued the spa, claiming nude video was taken of her.

Another woman, Alisha Backus, of Tarrs, claimed she was secretly filmed at the spa as she undressed in a tanning booth in 2007.

Backus said she was a minor at the time of the filming.

Attorney Mark Brooks, who works part time as an assistant prosecutor in neighboring Fayette County, represents 13 women who have sued the salon. A total of 31 women have claimed they were taped.

"They're so embarrassed. They're really humiliated," Brooks said of his clients. "I'm certain none of them want to talk."

"They're all emotionally devastated as a result of what occurred, but they're all very happy that the person that actually filmed them will be brought to justice," Brooks said.

Brooks expects to file lawsuits on behalf of two other women soon and has consultations scheduled with six more women who claim they were recorded at the salon.

The salon's owner, Toni Tomei, has previously denied wrongdoing and said she called police about three years ago when a teen complained that someone secretly recorded or photographed her.

Brooks said two of his clients worked at the salon. Neither knew Macklin or recognized his name, he said.

Brooks said most of the recording was done in the fall of 2006 or the spring of 2007 and largely involved high school-aged girls and women who were "tanning for prom or related events." Four were minors when they were recorded, the youngest being 15, Brooks said.

Brooks said he'll continue to pursue the lawsuits because he contends Tomei didn't do enough to prevent the recording. Brooks said the evidence indicates the recordings were made through an opening in the ceiling at least 6 inches wide.

"If you were to walk down the halls and just look at the ceiling, I think you could see there was a hole that big," Brooks said.

Macklin faces nearly 250 charges.

Channel 11 News spoke to Macklin's father, who said his son was a Marine and served in Iraq. Macklin's father said the taping allegedly happened when he got back from overseas.

Previous Stories: January 4, 2011: Women Say They Were Taped Disrobing At Westmoreland Co. Tanning Salon

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