Former Bristol barbershop owner accused of destroying evidence tied to bathroom camera allegations

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) – The owner of a Bristol, Tennessee barbershop that has since closed has been charged after allegedly destroying evidence tied to an illegal bathroom camera investigation.

According to court documents, Christopher Hughes was charged in March with tampering with evidence.

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A March 27 affidavit penned by an investigator with the Bristol Tennessee Police Department (BTPD) states the department began investigating Hughes on March 3. The BTPD described the investigation as an “unlawful photography incident” that allegedly occurred at the Southside Barbershop on Volunteer Parkway.

Police identified Hughes as the suspect, and he reportedly confessed to knowing about a criminal investigation surrounding him.

Second Judicial District Attorney General Barry Staubus confirmed the investigation was tied to allegations that Hughes had placed a camera in the barbershop’s bathroom.

The affidavit states Hughes admitted to taking the barbershop’s laptop from the business after he found out about the investigation. He allegedly took the laptop back to his Carter County home, destroyed it and disposed of the evidence.

The BTPD reports detectives went to Hughes’s home and found evidence in line with his claims of destroying the laptop.

The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Hughes was booked into the Sullivan County Jail on March 28. He was released after posting his $1,000 bond that same day.

A court date for the tampering with evidence charge is set for June 4, 2024.

News Channel 11 has reached out to the BTPD for more information.

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