Miami-Dade Firefighter Charged in Hidden Camera Scandal

A former Miami-Dade Fire Rescue lieutenant has been charged with secretly filming coworkers in fire station bathrooms. Manuel “Manny” Fernandez, 55, faces 11 counts of video voyeurism after investigators uncovered more than 600 hidden camera clips from two fire stations.

The investigation began in April 2023, when a suspicious USB wall charger in a men’s bathroom at Station 69 in Doral was discovered to be a covert camera. The device contained videos taken between February and April 2023, capturing 18 employees—both men and women—without their consent.

One clip showed a man adjusting the camera while wearing a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue uniform and a silver watch. Authorities noted that Fernandez was the only person who had worked at both Station 69 and another involved location, Station 66 in Homestead, during the times the footage was recorded.

Shortly after the discovery, Fernandez checked into a rehab facility and refused to cooperate with investigators without a lawyer. He was later seen wearing a watch similar to the one in the videos.

Fernandez was placed on paid administrative leave and worked from home until he resigned. He has since posted a $27,500 bond following his arrest.