Invasion of Privacy Lawsuit for Dick’s Sporting Goods in Lynchburg 

A March 19, 2026 release from the Lynchburg Police Department says officers responded to Dick’s Sporting Goods at 3385 Candlers Mountain Road on March 14 after a customer reported finding a potential recording device in the women’s dressing room. Police said store management cooperated with the investigation, and officers identified a store employee as the suspect. For someone thinking about an filing an invasion of privacy lawsuit due to their experience at the Dick’s Sporting Goods in Lynchburg, the criminal investigation is only part of the story. A civil claim can focus on the personal harm, loss of dignity, and emotional fallout that often follow an alleged secret recording in a place where privacy should be absolute. (Lynchburg Police Department)

What Did Police Say Happened at Dick’s Sporting Goods?

According to the police release, Derek Lee Beard, 26, of Lynchburg, was detained during the initial investigation and later charged with unlawful filming that same day. Police then announced additional charges on March 17, including creation of an unlawful image of another, production of child pornography, use of a computer to commit sexual crimes against children, possession of child pornography, and creation of an unlawful image of a minor.

Detectives also said the evidence led them to believe the activity may have been ongoing for several months at the store, and they asked people who used the changing rooms there between March 13 and March 14, 2026, to complete a victim identification form. (Lynchburg Police Department)

Can a Civil Privacy Claim Be Filed Even if a Criminal Case is Still Pending?

In Virginia, the answer is often yes. The criminal statute on unlawful imaging, Va. Code § 18.2-386.1, applies to knowingly creating an image of a nonconsenting person in a dressing room or similar private setting where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Virginia also has a separate civil statute, Va. Code § 8.01-40.4, that allows an injured person to sue for conduct prohibited under § 18.2-386.1 and recover compensatory damages, punitive damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs, whether or not the individual has been charged or convicted. That matters for those considering a privacy lawsuit involving the Lynchburg Dick’s Sporting Goods because a civil case is aimed at the victim’s losses, not only punishment by the state.

What Should Potential Victims Be Thinking About Now?

If a person used the changing rooms during the period identified by police, that person can have questions that go beyond the criminal charges. Was an image created? Was it stored, copied, or shared? What emotional distress followed? What steps were taken to protect customers in a setting where privacy is expected? Those issues often shape a civil case.

MichieHamlett can evaluate whether your dressing room privacy violation claim involves unlawful imaging, emotional harm, and potential compensation under Virginia law. Preserving records, documenting the timeline, and speaking with counsel early is crucial.

Call Us to Discuss a Lynchburg Privacy Claim Against Dick’s Sporting Goods

If you believe you were affected by the reported dressing room recording incident, speak with MichieHamlett to help you understand whether a privacy claim against Dick’s Sporting Goods is worth pursuing. A civil case can be a path toward answers, accountability, and damages tied to a deeply personal violation.