Landlord allegedly hid camera in tenant's smoke detector, recorded thousands of images

13 May 2025 · 2 min

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In Amherst, New Hampshire, police arrested 70‑year‑old landlord Charles McGuire after allegations that he concealed a tiny camera inside a smoke detector to secretly photograph his tenant and possibly other women. Court records show the tenant received a nude photo via text, confronted McGuire, and he admitted the hidden camera before destroying the detector. Investigators recovered roughly 9,000 images taken over a four‑year period and are seeking additional victims who may have visited the home. Cybersecurity expert Robert Siciliano warned that miniature cameras are inexpensive and easy to install, offering practical tips—such as shining a flashlight to spot reflective lenses—to help tenants detect hidden devices.

New Hampshire tonight where police arrested a landlord after they say he placed a hidden camera in a smoke detector and took thousands of images of his tenant. And as our Michael Rosenfeld reports from Amherst, there may be other potential victims as well.
Inside this home in Amherst, New Hampshire, a woman who was renting a room says she got a strange text message one day from her landlord who also lived in the house. It was an image of herself in her private living quarters in a state of undress. According to court records, she confronted the landlord, 70-year-old Charles McGuire. He allegedly admitted there was a secret camera hidden inside a smoke detector and then took the smoke detector and smashed it.
Horrifying. Like, as a woman, it's horrifying. I can't believe that anyone would do that to someone living in their house.
Neighbors stunned to learn what was allegedly taking place at 30 The Flume, an address inside the North Amherst Farms development.
There's plenty to find on the internet. I don't know why you would need to go in your own house and be taping people.
That's pretty creepy. Investigators say they found about 9,000 images of the tenant as well as other women. They're asking anyone who may have visited the home to come forward as they may have been a victim. They believe McGuire had been secretly recording for 4 years.
I'm surprised this doesn't happen even more.
Cybersecurity expert Robert Siciliano says tiny cameras are so easy to obtain and install that tenants should be extremely vigilant.
There are a number of red flags, like little tiny black holes. If Shine a flashlight on them. They appear red. They reflect back on you. Do that on the walls. Do that on the ceiling.
McGuire was released on bail. There was somebody inside his home when we stopped by, but they declined to come to the door. McGuire is facing several charges, including falsifying physical evidence, stalking, and invasion of privacy. In Amherst, New Hampshire, Michael Rosenfield, NBC 10 Boston.