SOUTHLAKE, Texas — Thousands of people milled through the Southlake Town Square Sunday night during the community’s Octoberfest celebration. One man, however, was arrested during festivities after police said he used a digital camera to take inappropriate photographs of women and children.
Louis Vogel, 60, [pictured] of North Richland Hills, was arrested by Southlake Police after officers observed him for about an hour snapping pictures. Police said the photos were of a “sexual nature.”
“He had a camera with him. It was obvious he was taking photographs,” Southlake Police Lt. Ashleigh Douglas said. “But during their investigation, (investigators) determined the photographs were deemed inappropriate.”
Photography in a public place is not illegal. Southlake police, however, said the nature of the pictures Vogel took violated state law.
“You’re committing an offense if, a) you’re taking a picture of a person who hasn’t given you consent to do so, and b) that picture is for the sexual gratification of any person,” Douglas said.
Investigators said they found more than 12 photographs that depicted specific parts of women’s and children’s bodies on Vogel’s camera.
Vogel could face up to two years in jail if convicted of violating state law. He has bonded out of jail, but has not responded to repeated attempts to contact him.
