MORGANTOWN – Former J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital physician Lance Parks pleaded not guilty to a pair of charges this morning according to Monongalia County Magistrate Court filings.
A press release issued by the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office says Parks was arrested in Wood County.
Parks was charged with eight misdemeanor counts of Criminal Invasion of Privacy and one felony count of Distribution and Exhibiting Computer Generated Pornography stemming from the discovery of cameras found in staff restrooms within the hospital.
A total bond of $100,000 — $50,000 for each charge — was set by Wood County Magistrate Jody Purkey.
Court documents list the felony charge, 61-8C-3(g), as, “Distribute or exhibit visual portrayal of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct or computer-generated pornography (51-299 images).”
Based on the number of images — more than 50 but fewer than 300 — conviction could carry three to 15 years in a state correctional facility and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
On Friday, June 26, hospital employees discovered a digital recording device concealed beneath a sink inside a staff restroom. Hospital personnel immediately notified law enforcement, and the device was turned over to investigators.
Following an examination of the recording device and additional investigative efforts, law enforcement identified Parks as the individual who placed the recording device. Investigators also determined that the device contained video footage depicting eight hospital employees who had been unknowingly recorded while partially nude.
On June 30, a WVU Hospitals spokesperson reported a clogged toilet led to the discovery of a second camera in a non-public, staff restroom.
That camera was turned over to law enforcement and found to contain no images or other media.
Also on June 30, investigators executed a search warrant at Parks’ residence. During the search, law enforcement seized multiple computers and digital storage devices for forensic examination.
The investigation revealed additional evidence, including files containing images of juvenile females that appear to have been downloaded from publicly available social media and photo-sharing websites. The investigation turned up numerous images in which artificial intelligence was used to manipulate photographs so that the depicted juveniles appeared to be fully nude.
A warrant for Parks’ arrest was issued on July 2.
Court records indicate service of the warrant was completed today.
A preliminary hearing has been set for July 20.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the Morgantown Police Department Detective Division.
