Fergus Falls Man Charged in Restroom Recording Case

FERGUS FALLS, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fergus Falls man faces seven charges after an alleged recording incident inside a restaurant restroom.

Ramon Saavedra Zavala, 39, is charged in Otter Tail County District Court. The charges include two felonies and five gross misdemeanors.

The most serious charge alleges interference with a minor’s privacy with sexual intent. That charge carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison. It also carries a possible $5,000 fine.

A second felony charge alleges interference with the privacy of a minor. The remaining counts allege interference with privacy involving several victims.

Teen Reported Seeing Phone Above Stall

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to Fiesta Brava on July 2, 2026. The restaurant is located on West Cavour Avenue in Fergus Falls.

A parent reported that a 15-year-old girl saw a cellphone above a restroom stall. The phone was allegedly positioned through a ceiling opening.

The girl told police that the phone moved away after she noticed it. She also gave officers a description of the device.

Investigators found a ladder inside a storage room beside the restroom. Court records say a person could use the ladder to reach the ceiling opening.

Security footage allegedly showed Zavala entering the storage room during the same period. The girl was seen entering the restroom shortly before that time.

Ramon Saavedra Zavala

Phone Search Allegedly Found More Images

The complaint says Zavala first denied involvement. He later allegedly admitted taking a photograph and deleting it.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for his cellphone. A phone review allegedly found eight restroom photographs and two videos.

Court documents say five women appeared in the files. Investigators also found photographs of restaurant customers taken without their knowledge.

The complaint alleges many of those images showed younger women. One image allegedly showed the reporting teenager using the toilet.

Zavala was arrested on July 16, 2026. He was taken to the Otter Tail County Detention Facility.

The restaurant later ended Zavala’s employment, according to the complaint.

Readers can review Minnesota’s privacy crime law through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes. Court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

The charges are allegations. Zavala is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.