Golden Gate man accused of recording children, previously convicted of voyeurism charges

A 44-year-old Golden Gate man who was previously convicted of secretly recording a woman in her shower was arrested Tuesday on a video voyeurism charge involving a child and multiple counts of possession of child pornography.

Philipas Christos Batsios faces 75 counts possession of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography with intent to promote and one count of video voyeurism involving a victim younger than 16. The latter charge involved a young girl who detectives said appeared in a video taken by Batsios at a North Naples grocery store.

Detectives said Batsios was also creating his own video voyeurism videos while out in public, such as at grocery stores, gas stations and assisting clients of his pool cleaning business. Detectives said Batsios’ face can be seen in many of the videos and his voice heard while talking to female clients about their pumps/pools while he places the camera under their dresses/skirts while they are distracted.

“We walk up and down these streets all the time,” said Sheyen Lachat in Golden Gates Estates.

Lachat is one of nine kids in her family who are always playing outside

“It’s especially concerning because you want to trust your neighbors,” Lachat said.

Knowing a man who lived next door is accused of having tens of thousands of images of nude children makes everyone uneasy.

“We’re grandparents. We have two grandkids that live here and visit us frequently, so, yes, that’s a concern as well,” Marsha McDonaugh said.

This investigation is ongoing and more charges may be possible as detectives attempt to identify more victims.

According to Collier County Sheriff’s Office arrest reports, detectives found the lewd images on Batsios’ cell phone after his mid-July arrest for violating his state probation.

Batsios is on probation for a conviction out of Lee County for burglary to an occupied dwelling and video voyeurism after he was caught using his cell phone to video a woman taking a shower in her residence.

On July 16, detectives searched Batsios’ residence after CCSO received nine cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the possible transmission of child pornography on a website that hosts pornographic material. One of the images was of a known identified child victim from Indonesia and detectives said the transmissions were occurring at Batsios’ residence.

“Just frightening, disturbing upsetting,” McDonaugh said.

Batsios admitted to visiting websites that featured child pornography and indicated that detectives would find those files on his cell phone. He was placed under arrest for violating his probation because he viewed child pornography.

Batsios’ phone held tens of thousands of images of nude children, according to CCSO. At least 75 of those images were child pornography and depicted children ranging in age from 2 to 12.

Detectives also found Batsios was visiting Russian-hosted websites that contained these images of children with page titles in German such as “kids and friends” on a regular basis for years.

One video, taken Oct. 9, 2019, was of a young child at a North Naples grocery store. Detectives said the child was helping her mother unload their grocery cart. Batsios filmed underneath the girl’s dress and his face can be seen in the video. Detectives were able to identify the child victim and her family who advised they wished to prosecute Batsios for the crime.

Batsios was arrested on the new charges Tuesday at the Collier County Jail, where he has been housed since his July arrest.

WINK News’ Safety & Security Specialist says, in child pornography cases, it’s important for parents to look out for the warning signs.

“If you come up to your child, and they quickly change the screen that’s a warning sign,” specialist Rich Kolko said.

And he encourages women to always keep an eye out.

“Situational awareness,” Kolko explained. “Keep your head on a swivel. Keep a distance between people.”

Anyone who thinks they may be a victim or who has information is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 239-252-9300, or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477).