At least six women, perhaps dozens, victimized by webcam peeping, police say

A computer technician who was arrested on charges of taking photographs of naked women via webcam is facing charges involving at least six victims, some of whom are students at a Christian college he attended.

Trevor Harwell, 20, who posted $50,000 bond Wednesday, may have victimized dozens of people, police said Friday.

Investigators said a search of his computers revealed hundreds of thousands of images of women, mostly 18 to 25 years old, in various states of undress. The women are believed to be from Orange and Los Angeles counties.

“We have six victims in which he is facing two charges for each of them,” said Fullerton Police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich. “It’s every fear that you’re really not alone, that someone is watching your private moments.”

Prosecutors said Friday that Harwell faces 12 felony counts of computer access and fraud.

Goodrich said Fullerton police have identified several victims who attended Biola University in La Mirada with Harwell, who was friends with some of the women whose computers he repaired.

“One woman has come forward since his arrest Wednesday,” Goodrich said.

He allegedly met the woman through friends and his church, prosecutors said.

Two of the identified victims are sisters.

Detectives began investigating Harwell last summer when a Fullerton resident reported messages popping up on his daughter’s computer. The messages read: “You should fix your internal sensor soon. If unsure what to do, try putting your laptop near hot steam for several minutes to clean the sensor.”

Goodrich said the message prompted many women to take their computers into the bathroom when they showered. He said that allowed Harwell to use a webcam to record several women undressing.

The program he allegedly installed remotely accessed the cameras on his victims’ computers, allowing him to record video and still images of the women without their knowledge.

Harwell, who was a technician for Rezitech, repairs Apple computers. Investigators in September got a search warrant for Harwell’s computers and had a forensic specialist examine hundreds of files to uncover evidence used to arrest him Wednesday at his Fullerton home.

His education at Biola University was curtailed last year when authorities there began working with police on the investigation. Goodrich said Harwell had accessed the university computer system.

But university officials say he never compromised the security of their network. Rezitech officials said in a statement that none of its customers is involved in the investigation.

Investigators warn that traditional peeping Toms are increasingly turning to technology, spyware and concealed cameras to prey on victims in the privacy of their homes, public bathrooms and other settings.

Goodrich said Harwell must appear in a Fullerton court July 21. He said Harwell may also face charges in Los Angeles County.

“I expect more charges in the future,” the sergeant said.

richard.winton@latimes.com