A man charged with recording video on his cellphone in a New Lenox church’s restroom will not be detained ahead of his trial, a Will County judge ruled Friday.
Nicholas Columbaris, of Frankfort, was arrested and charged Wednesday, after a woman discovered and reported a cellphone concealed while she was using a restroom at Parkview Christian Church, 2121 S. Schoolhouse Road, police said.
Columbaris took possession of the phone from the woman who found it, police said.
New Lenox police questioned Columbaris after taking witness statements and possessing evidence, including the cellphone, according to police.
“During the interview, he made incriminating statements regarding the incident,” police said in a news release.
Police said they found video from the church along with other recordings, including one of a child, on the cellphone. Court records show Columbaris is charged with two Class 3 felony counts of unauthorized video recording someone under age 18.
The charges are not detainable, according to the Will County state’s attorney’s office.
If convicted, prison sentences for Class 3 felonies range from two to five years.
Columbaris’ case is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. on July 24 at the Will County Courthouse in Joliet.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
