By John Balch
News-Leader staff
A local nurse practitioner has been placed on leave without pay following his arrest in Hempstead County last week on a felony charge of video voyeurism.
Justice West, 29, of Blevins was arrested Thursday, Nov. 7 and was booked in the at Hempstead County Jail at 3:35 p.m. and released the following morning on $10,000 bond.
West is currently employed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at the CHI St. Vincent clinic in Murfreesboro. He is also a former Emergency Room nurse at Howard Memorial Hospital.
A spokesman for CHI St. Vincent told the newspaper Friday he could not confirm when West began working in Murfreesboro, but released the following statement afternoon concerning West’s status with the clinic:
“Upon notification by authorities, CHI St. Vincent placed the employee in question on administrative leave without pay pending further investigation and continues to cooperate with local authorities. The safety and wellbeing of our employees, patients and visitors is our first priority and our healing ministry is committed to their security while in our facility and under our care.”
According to Howard County Sheriff James Singleton, Hempstead County investigators concluded an an investigation that began in Blevins in late October after a 14-year-old female reportedly discovered a camera while in a shower.
The teen reportedly discovered what later turned out to be a camera that was disguised as a cell phone charger plugged in a bathroom where she was going to shower.
West has served as a past president of the Blevins School Board and is a first responder and member of the local volunteer fire department.
investigation that began in late October after a 14-year-old female discovered a camera while in a shower. On or about Oct. 22, a 14-year-old female reportedly discovered what later turned out to be a camera that was disguised as a cell phone charger plugged in a bathroom where she was going to shower.
West is being held in the Hempstead County Detention Center pending a first court appearance. His bond has been set at $10,000.
West is currently employed as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at the CHI St. Vincent clinic in Murfreesboro. He is also a former Emergency Room nurse at Howard Memorial Hospital.
West has also served as president of the Blevins School Board and is a first responder and member of the local volunteer fire department.
