Yuma guest dancer suspect in secret videotaping

A professional dancer has been arrested for allegedly secretly videotaping victims with a hidden camera while they were undressing, including at least three instances in Yuma while he was a guest artist in community performances.

Former Yuma resident Bryan Cheuk Mun Wong, 24, is facing multiple charges of exploitation of a minor and over 100 charges of surreptitious videotaping and voyeurism.

Wong was arrested Thursday at his home in Green Valley, Ariz., by the Yuma Police Department and the Yuma and Tucson offices of the U.S. Marshals Service after a nearly monthlong investigation.

According to YPD spokeswoman Officer Cruz Vidal, 34 female and male victims have been identified, ranging in age from 6 to 41 years old.

“At this time we believe we have contacted all possible victims, but we are encouraging anyone who may have participated in any of these performances to contact the Yuma Police Department,” Vidal said.

Video footage of the victims were found on Wong's camera.

Yuma police began an investigation into allegations against Wong on Sept. 20 after being informed by the University of Arizona Police Department that they had arrested him for secretly videotaping university dance students using a hidden camera.

Vidal explained that during Wong's interview with university police, he told them he had also secretly videotaped victims in various stages of dress at three locations in Yuma: Yuma Ballet Academy in November 2010; during a dance performance of “Sleeping Beauty” at the Historic Yuma Theatre earlier this year; and during last year's performance of “The Nutcracker” at Snider Auditorium.

Calls to Yuma Ballet Academy were not returned by presstime.

Wong was being brought back to Yuma and will be booked in the Yuma County jail upon his return.

Wong graduated from the University of Arizona School of Dance with a bachelor's degree. According to Yuma Sun archives, he was in Yuma last December as one of three featured guest artists in Ballet Yuma's presentation of “The Nutcracker.”

Born and raised in Yuma, Wong worked as a freelance professional dancer with dance companies. He also occasionally danced at the UA and collaborated with other dance companies and studios in the area.

Anyone with any information about this case is encouraged to call YPD at 373-4700, or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.