By Megan Broome
CNI News Service
Tallulah Falls Fire Chief Paul A. Marsteller, 66, was arrested Sept. 21 by Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputies for stalking and unlawful eavesdropping/surveillance after the suspect allegedly videotaped fellow employees at a private business.
The charges that were issued in Habersham County warrants are unrelated to Marsteller’s position as fire chief. Marsteller was released on bond on Sept. 23.
Unlawful eavesdropping/surveillance is a felony that is punishable, if convicted, by one to five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine or both. Stalking is a misdemeanor.
Marsteller’s attorney Allyn Stockton declined to comment to The Clayton Tribune on the case.
Town of Tallulah Falls Mayor Mike Early said town officials were “aware that he had been arrested” and started an investigation. He said he could not release details of the ongoing investigation at this time.
“We placed him on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation,” Early said. He said Marsteller did not receive compensation for his position as fire chief because the Tallulah Falls Fire Department is an all-volunteer department.
Early added town officials do not believe the charges are related to his role as fire chief but are conducting the investigation as a precaution.
“We want to cover all of our bases,” Early said.
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an incident on Sept. 21 in reference to harassment, according to incident reports.
Deputies spoke with a male complainant who said he was notified on Monday, Sept. 19, that two of his employees – a male and a female – had located a camera inside their place of employment.
The complainant said the female employee was told by Marsteller that she was being videoed and there was evidence of her “having fun at work.”
The complainant said Marsteller was going to give the video to the female’s husband. The complainant said once he found out about the camera, he required Marsteller go to the main business office located in another county.
The complainant said upon Marsteller’s arrival at the main office, the suspect was questioned by the employees about the camera in the office.
According to the complainant, Marsteller admitted to installing the camera around the beginning of September.
While deputies were on scene at the business on Sept. 21, they spoke with the female employee who said she and the male employee located a camera in the ceiling of the business where they worked on Sept. 19.
The female employee said they found out Marsteller made a key to gain access to the business.
Deputies were told the employees turned over the camera to their supervisor, the complainant.
The female employee told deputies Marsteller became “paranoid” and requested to meet with her husband privately. She said Marsteller went as far as sitting outside her husband’s place of employment for hours waiting to meet him.
The female then told deputies that Marsteller began “texting her multiple times” and was calling her while “upset because her husband refused to meet” with him. She said Marsteller said he had videos of her being “unfaithful.”
Deputies then interviewed the male employee, who agreed he was working with the female employee when they found the camera Marsteller allegedly had hidden. The employee said he assisted in recovering the camera and reported it to upper management.
According to the report, deputies have screenshots of text messages and a witness statement in evidence. Deputies also were provided with the camera that was located at the business and entered the camera into evidence.
Deputies issued two warrants for Marsteller regarding stalking and unlawful surveillance “due to testimonial evidence,” according to the report.
On Sept. 21, deputies went to a Tallulah Falls address in reference to making contact with Marsteller. When deputies arrived at the address, Marsteller answered the door. When deputies advised him of the warrants, Marsteller responded, “I know why you’re here.”
Deputies then handcuffed Marsteller and transported him to the Habersham County Detention Center.
On Sept. 22, deputies met with the female employee’s husband, who said he had received a call from Marsteller asking to meet with him in a private place.
The husband told deputies he initially agreed, but called Marsteller back because “it did not make sense.”
The husband told deputies Marsteller answered when he called him back and the suspect kept asking if he was alone and “wondering who was listening.” The husband said he asked Marsteller “multiple times” what he needed to talk about, but Marsteller kept asking to meet in person.
The husband then told deputies that Marsteller asked him if he was in an “open relationship” because he had video proof that his wife was “having fun” during the workday.
A telephone message was left for Marsteller requesting comment.
Enoch Autry, Luke Morey and Brooklyn Allgary of The Clayton Tribune contributed to this article.