By Tessa Roy, WPRO News
Following four previous arrests in the case, State Police say the owners of Flint Audio-Video were arrested for allegedly soliciting an employee to illegally access and share nude photos found on their customers’ devices.
Gary Gagne and Daniel Anton were arrested at Flint Audio-Video’s Middletown location Friday morning. Both were charged with soliciting another to commit an crime and conspiracy. The two were released on $30,000 personal recognizance and have a special bail condition of limiting their internet use.
State Police said the two conspired with George Quintal, a store employee recently arrested on similar charges. Quintal would allegedly search files on devices customers had brought in for repair, take photos of nude images he found, and share them with Gagne and Anton.
Back in June, Gagne and Anton said they were “shocked and outraged” to learn of Quintal’s arrest and said they fired him immediately. They had also promised to help police identify affected customers and work to prevent further incidents.
“As an audio, visual and computer retailer in Rhode Island for more than 30 years, there is nothing we take more seriously than the privacy and safety of our customers. We are entrusted with their most valuable information, moments and memories, and we work diligently to provide the highest level of security,” they wrote in a statement.
Many of the alleged victims in the photos have been identified by police, but State Police Captain Gerald McKinney said they’re still working to identify others. Customers of Flint Audio-Video who fear their information might be compromised are encouraged to contact Detective Adam Houston at 401-921-8152.
