James L. Berke, 45, remained in Cumberland County Jail Tuesday after his arrest Sunday in Gorham on charges of violation of privacy and endangering the welfare of a child. Berke’s bail has been set at $5,000 cash.
Berke was arrested on a warrant by Gorham police, who executed a search warrant at 5:40 a.m. Sunday at 31 New Portland Road, Gorham. Detective Dana Thompson said Tuesday an Auburn mother of two girls contacted Gorham police at 7:30 p.m. March 22. The mother reported that the oldest of her girls told her she saw her 7-year-old sister coming out of the bathroom with Berke, who was carrying a digital camera. Thompson said Berke is suspected of videotaping the girl while she was on the toilet.
Thompson said the two girls had been spending the night on March 21 with Berke, who is a friend of the family. Thompson said Berke has a daughter, 19, who was not home at the time.
Police confiscated computers, video equipment and tapes. Thompson was seeking a second search warrant Tuesday to examine the computers.
A police report said Berke was taken into custody at the scene without incident and transported to jail. Thompson said Berke doesn’t have any previous conviction.
Thompson was assisted in the search and arrest by officers Dean Hannon, Ted Hatch and Brian Key.
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