Winchester man pleads guilty to secretly taping teenage girls

James Fantini, 56, from Winchester, pleaded guilty to secretly videotaping three 15-year-old girls undressing at his home. The Middlesex District Attorney's Office announced the charges after detectives in California found videos on Fantini's phone while investigating a separate incident. In June 2024, Fantini allegedly attempted to film two other minors in a hotel bathroom while chaperoning a soccer tournament. He hid his phone under a baseball hat, but the girls noticed and contacted authorities. Fantini received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence followed by three years of probation, during which he must wear a GPS device and maintain distance from Winchester and minors.

The case highlights significant issues surrounding privacy and the safety of young people in communities. Local law enforcement urges parents to remain vigilant about their children's surroundings. This incident has sparked discussions about the necessity of stronger protective measures for minors.