A Columbiana County judge ruled Wednesday that a Wellsville man convicted of secretly recording women must remain in prison.

Judge Scott A. Washam denied a motion for judicial release for Shane L. Wright. Wright is currently serving a 10-month prison sentence for voyeurism and possessing criminal tools.

Wright’s attorney filed a motion in November asking the court to release him early, arguing that Wright had no prior criminal record and had used his time in prison wisely. The defense noted that Wright has been in state custody since October 8, 2025.

In his decision, Judge Washam stated that granting the release would demean the seriousness of the offenses. The judge noted that the crimes involved "numerous, separate unwitting female victims" at two different locations.

Court documents detail that Wright used a cellphone to record victims undressing inside a private department store changing room and a fitness facility locker room. The judge highlighted that Wright exerted significant effort to commit the crimes at the Planet Fitness center, where he climbed through a ceiling to reach an area above the women's locker room.

Wright admitted during the case that he recorded the videos for his own sexual gratification.

Washam ruled that the current prison sentence is necessary to protect the public and punish the offender. Wright is currently incarcerated at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio, and is expected to be released in late July.