Jeffrey Pribble Arrested After Phone Was Found Recording Students in Locker Room of Tracy High School

Jeffrey Pribble, Tracy High School Football Coach, Charged for Allegedly Recording Students in Locker Room

TRACY, CALIFORNIA (September 13, 2026) – Jeffrey Pribble, Tracy High School’s head football coach, was arrested following accusations that his phone was recording students in the locker room of the school.

Tracy police officials are saying that the arrest took place on Friday. The defendant began working for the high school in 2004 before eventually becoming a head coach in 2021.

Police indicated that students discovered a cellphone that was recording them as they were changing in the locker rooms at the school. Authorities are alleging that the phone belongs to Jeffrey Pribble. 

He has been placed on leave by the Tracy Unified School District, pending the outcome of both administrative and criminal investigations into his conduct.

It remains unclear how many students may have been recorded on the phone. Students at the school described the defendant’s arrest as a total shock.

Liability for Secret Recordings in High School Locker Rooms

School districts have a legal obligation to protect students from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting them from illicit voyeurism conducted by school officials. It is a crime under California Penal Code section 647(j)(3) for any person to place a concealed camera in an area where people undress and there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. Courts will take into consideration numerous factors when evaluating liability for any incident where there is an unauthorized recording in a private changing area.

• Courts will consider who has knowledge of the placement of the camera.
• Courts will consider what measures the school took to prevent these types of incidents.
• Courts will consider whether or not the perpetrator underwent a rigorous background check.
• Courts will consider what action school officials took when they were informed of other instances of misconduct involving the perpetrator.

When a school fails to protect students from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Consider, for example, C.A. v. William S. Hart Union High School District, 53 Cal. 4th 861 (Cal. 2012). That case involved a high school student who was allegedly sexually abused by a school guidance counselor. Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that the public school district should be liable under Government Code section 815.2 for the negligent hiring, retention, or supervision of the perpetrator.

Steps to Take After Digital Voyeurism by School Officials

Unfortunately, as technology has continued to progress, there’s been an increase in the number of hidden cameras in changing rooms and other private areas. There have been a number of recent incidents where school or business employees have placed cameras in bathrooms or other private areas to spy on children. According to ABC 7 News, “A former employee of a Hermosa Beach music and dance school remained in custody Tuesday after allegedly placing hidden cameras in bathrooms at the school.” There are multiple actions that should be taken after any instance where school officials place cameras in changing rooms.

• The police should be contacted as soon as possible so that they can begin investigating.
• The history of misconduct allegations involving the perpetrator should be carefully studied.
• All of the evidence related to the misconduct should be preserved.
• The parents of any child secretly recorded in a changing area should carefully consider the legal options with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Instances of sexual misconduct in public schools are often highly preventable. They tend to involve situations where school officials are not adequately supervising the actions of their own employees. By the time any teacher or coach is arrested for some type of sexual misconduct, there are often dozens of red flags that were missed. Victims of sexual misconduct at schools across California are able to see some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Getting Legal Help After Sexual Misconduct Involving School Officials

We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC were very concerned to hear about the allegations involving Jeffrey Pribble. Anyone who may have more information should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the full scope of the alleged misconduct. This incident raises many important safety questions that need to be properly addressed.

Have you or a loved one been secretly filmed in a changing area or other private location at a school in California? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Our team of experienced sexual abuse attorneys is here to support you. We are committed to helping victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help in your unique situation, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.