A California man who rented his luxury home near Yosemite National Park secretly recorded guests during “private moments” without their knowledge, authorities said.
Christian Parmalee Edwards, 44, was arrested after detectives executed a search warrant Thursday at 50730 Granite Butte Way in Oakhurst, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office announced late Monday.
More than 4,000 digital files containing child sexual abuse were seized during the search, authorities said.
“Detectives also uncovered evidence suggesting Edwards had been using his residence as a short-term vacation rental and recording guests during private moments without their knowledge,” sheriff’s officials said in a statement.
Edwards’ home is roughly 16 miles from the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park. Authorities searched the property following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the distribution of child sexual abuse material in Madera County.
Edwards, who remains in custody Tuesday at the Madera County Jail, is facing multiple counts of possession of material depicting a minor engaging in sexual conduct and possession of child pornography. Additional charges, including invasion of privacy, are pending as an investigation continues, officials said.
Detectives also seized all of Edwards’ electronic devices for further examination. It’s unclear if he’s hired an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
“Protecting the innocent, upholding the law, and holding offenders accountable remains a top priority of the Madera County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Tyson Pogue told KMPH. “We stand ready for when our community needs us most.”
Several neighbors said they were shocked by the allegations, including one woman who claimed Edwards had previously suggested that she rent his home.
“He even offered me to move in over there at one point and pay him rent,” Oakhurst resident Amy Gray told KFSN.
Anyone who rented the luxury residence between 2023 and March should contact investigators. Sheriff’s officials provided a photo of the home to alert possible victims.
Anthony Polfer, who lives down the street from Edwards, said he had no idea one of his neighbors allegedly victimized unsuspecting renters.
“I really hope they don’t let him out,” Polfer told KFSN. “Right now, it’s safe, and we didn’t even know we were in danger.”
The surreptitious recordings taken at the home, which is roughly a mile from Yosemite High School, weren’t allegedly taken with hidden devices, authorities said.
“When they seized his devices at the home, they began uncovering videos of children and women being filmed in places where they should have had their privacy,” sheriff’s office spokeswoman Kate Woertman told KFSN. “What detectives have found so far was that he was actually on-site recording through cracks in the blinds in little private areas.”
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