Man Charged With Using Drones to Spy On Women’s Dorm at Walla Walla University
25 July 2025 |
A local man has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree voyeurism for allegedly using drones to spy on women’s dorms at Walla Walla University, a Seventh-day Adventist school. According to a statement released on Facebook by the College Place Police Department based in College Place, Washington, U.S.
On July 8th, 2025, the College Place Police Department made an arrest following a lengthy investigation involving the illegal use of a drone used for voyeurism. Multiple reports of drone activity flying around the women’s dorm at Walla Walla University (WWU), dating back to early 2024, prompted the investigation. Recently, a crashed drone recovered by WWU security provided the information needed for investigators to recover data used to identify the suspect.
The suspect was 60-year-old Ira Ross Wright. News outlets have discovered that public records indicate Wright’s employment as a service worker for John Sager Middle School during the 2023-24 academic year. The footage found was not only of the inside of a female student’s dorm rooms but also of neighboring homes.
Police Chief Troy Tomaras touched on the disturbing nature of the crime, noting how individuals should have the right to privacy in their homes. The original police statement continues:
Several data storage devices were recovered from the suspect’s home during the service of the search warrant. Investigators will review for the potential of additional victims and/or charges. CPPD would like to give a special thanks to the Walla Walla University for their partnership during the investigation.
As it stands, Wright had his court hearing on July 21, where he pleaded not guilty. Wright’s charges of first-degree voyeurism are classified as Class C felonies under Washington state law. If convicted, they carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine per count.
