A disturbing case involving hidden cameras inside one of the Greater Toronto Area’s busiest shopping malls has sent shockwaves across Ontario after a Mississauga man was sentenced to more than five years in prison for secretly filming women and children for sexual purposes over several years.
David Pacheco Delgado, 43, has been sentenced to five-and-a-half years behind bars after pleading guilty to voyeurism, making child pornography and possession of child pornography following a lengthy investigation by Peel Regional Police.
According to court documents, Pacheco Delgado secretly installed hidden cameras inside Sherway Gardens and within the bathroom facilities of Pottery Barn Kids, where he had worked since 2010. Investigators said the recordings targeted unsuspecting women and children visiting the store and public areas of the mall.
Police raided the accused’s home in September 2024 and uncovered a large quantity of disturbing material, including hundreds of secretly recorded videos focusing on women in mall common areas between 2016 and 2019. Court records revealed that hidden cameras were also placed in customer washrooms inside the store, where multiple women and at least one child were secretly filmed.
One deleted recording recovered by investigators allegedly showed a mother in a bathroom stall with two young children, including a toddler captured while undressing and using the toilet. The court also heard evidence that the offender recorded explicit acts involving stolen clothing items.
Justice Fraser McCracken described the crimes as deeply aggravating, especially because children were among the victims captured on camera. The court noted that placing hidden cameras in public washrooms made it entirely foreseeable that minors would be recorded.
While the defence pointed to the accused’s guilty plea, expressed remorse and psychological assessments suggesting he could be rehabilitated, the severity of the offences and the abuse of trust associated with his employment weighed heavily in sentencing.
The case has also sparked debate over transparency in the justice system after Crown prosecutors initially sought to prevent the public release of the mall’s identity in court documents. Although the court temporarily referred to Sherway Gardens only as a “GTA Mall,” media organizations later identified both the mall and retailer involved.
The lack of public disclosure drew criticism from victim advocates and survivors of sexual abuse, who argued that communities have the right to know where such crimes occurred. Survivor advocate Brandy Mullen said secrecy surrounding sexual offences often contributes to stigma, silence and a lack of public awareness around grooming and exploitation.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office also weighed in, stating that families and victims deserve transparency regarding individuals convicted of serious sexual crimes involving children.
Police confirmed that investigators have identified several victims and continue efforts to locate others who may have been unknowingly recorded. Authorities also stated that all hidden recording devices were removed and there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
In addition to his prison sentence, Pacheco Delgado received a DNA order and a 20-year placement on Canada’s national sex offender registry.
Peel police are urging anyone who believes they may have information related to the investigation to contact the Peel Regional Police ICE Unit or Crime Stoppers anonymously.