A high-ranking law enforcement officer in South Florida is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly secretly recording his adult stepdaughter while she showered. Captain Jose Maya, 40, of the North Miami Beach Police Department was taken into custody on Tuesday by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office on a charge of video voyeurism.
According to the arrest warrant, the victim first became suspicious of Maya’s behavior sometime last year when she noticed him lying on the floor outside the bathroom as she exited the shower. She reportedly observed a small black object extending from beneath the door. When confronted, Maya allegedly claimed he was repairing a motion-activated night light nearby, an explanation the victim found unconvincing.
The situation escalated when the victim continued to notice the mysterious object appearing under the bathroom door during her showers. On June 28, after confiding in her mother about her concerns, she was advised to secretly record the hallway outside the bathroom. The resulting footage allegedly captured Maya lying on his stomach using a cellphone and another device to record the victim through the gap under the door. Authorities confirmed the recordings showed intimate images of the victim.
Following the discovery, the victim’s mother confronted Maya and demanded he leave the residence. The arrest warrant indicates Maya made some form of admission to the mother, though those details were redacted from official documents. His bond has been set at $7,500.
North Miami Beach Police Chief Juan Pinillos expressed his dismay over the arrest in an official statement, calling the allegations deeply concerning and a serious violation of public trust. Maya has been relieved of duty pending the outcome of criminal proceedings and an internal departmental investigation. Officials emphasized their commitment to holding all officers accountable regardless of their rank within the department.
