Former WSU principal charged with sexual exploitation of a child and invasion of privacy

WICHITA, Kansas (KWCH) – A former Wichita State University principal is accused of installing a hidden camera in a bedroom of his apartment and secretly filming an underage girl. The case was investigated by the Exploited and Missing Child Unit (EMCU) – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Christopher Garnier is accused of six counts of invasion of privacy and six counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Garnier’s wife contacted police after finding out Garnier had ordered a “hidden camera alarm clock.” She lives in California and he lives in Wichita. She contacted the girl who lives with Garnier and asked if the alarm clock was in her room. The girl sent back a photo of the alarm clock.

While Garnier was visiting his wife in California, she told investigators that she searched his phone and found seven videos showing the girl naked in her bedroom, undressing and changing clothes.

On May 2, EMCU investigators found Garnier at Wichita State University, where he worked. They arrested him on a traffic violation and took him in to question him about the hidden camera and videos.

During questioning, Garnier told investigators he bought the camera because the girl had “got into a lot of trouble over the years.” He said he and his wife had talked about getting a video camera, but he said he never told his wife that he had started filming the girl and that some of the footage showed the girl naked.

Garnier lives on the 7th floor of his downtown Wichita apartment building. Investigators said since it was unlikely the girl would sneak out her bedroom window, they wanted to know why Garnier didn’t film the front door to see if she sneaked in or out.

“Christopher further stated, ‘She locks herself in her room for hours.’ When asked if Christopher had a key to the bedroom, he stated, ‘It’s not so much about the key.’ Christopher further stated that he just doesn’t go into the bedroom…” the affidavit states.

Garnier told investigators that he was neither sexually attracted to the girl nor did he keep the videos for sexual gratification.

“Never. Never,” the affidavit states. “I am insulted by this. Never.”

The same day Garnier was brought in for questioning, investigators obtained a search warrant to seize his personal laptop, a work computer and a tablet, all of which were located at WSU. On May 3, Garnier gave investigators the passwords to access and review them. While executing the search warrant on his phone, investigators found the hidden camera app and seven video files that showed the girl undressing and at times being naked in her room.

On May 14, Garnier was charged with invasion of privacy. On May 29, the charge was expanded to include sexual exploitation. He was arrested in early May but has since been released from prison on bail.

Garnier was appointed director of Executive Education and the Center for Management Development by the WSU Barton School in June 2023. The university said he will no longer be employed there effective May 10, 2024.

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