US

Transgender Calls Filming Girl In Target Dressing Room ‘A Mistake’

shower surprise Shutterstock/Di Studio

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Amber Randall Civil Rights Reporter
Font Size:

The transgender woman caught filming an 18-year-old girl in a Target dressing room called his actions “a mistake” during his sentencing hearing Thursday.

Shauna Smith, a man who transitioned to a woman, received a two- to five-year sentence for filming the girl getting changed, reports the Post Register.

On top of the prison sentence, Smith was also added to the sex offender registry. Smith admitted to investigators that this was not the first time he had filmed girls while they were changing.

“I don’t feel that I’m a bad person. I’m truly sorry I made these mistakes,” Smith said, adding that he was receiving counseling for his issues.

Idaho police arrested Smith in July the day after he was spotted taking cell phone photos of a girl get changed. The victim confronted him, only to have Smith flee the store. Authorities managed to track him down by using security footage and witness interviews. (RELATED: Transgender Person Arrested For Taking Pictures Of Woman In Target Dressing Room)

Target announced in April its policy to allow transgenders to use the bathrooms and changing rooms that correspond with their gender identity.

The victim begged District Judge Joel Tingey to impose the maximum sentence at Smith’s hearing. She maintained she still suffers from long-term “emotional mutilation” and has had to undergo counseling after the incident.

“It’s kind of a far-fetched cliché,” the victim said. “I never thought this would happen. I always supported the transgender community, but I felt a little betrayed.”

John Thomas, Smith’s lawyer, argued for a one- to two-year sentence. While Smith deserved to go to jail, his filming the girl was just an outlet for his “being conflicted on (her) own sexuality,” his lawyer said.

“I think (Smith) has earned a trip to the penitentiary. This is not something we can just overlook,” Thomas said.

Follow Amber on Twitter

Send tips to amber@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.

Amber Randall