Two Men Convicted Of Unlawfully Video Recording Inside Social Security Offices

Orlando, Florida - Following a bench trial, United States Magistrate Judge Embry J. Kidd has found Joshua Joseph Gray (45, New Smyrna Beach) and George Douglas Metz (51, Belleview) guilty of unlawfully video recording and failing to comply with official signs and directives inside multiple Social Security field offices. Gray and Metz were each sentenced to pay a $3,000 fine and serve six months' probation. Gray and Metz were charged by an Information on November 28, 2023.

According to evidence presented at trial, on various dates between November 2022 and January 2023, Gray and Metz each entered three different Social Security field offices in Central Florida while video recording. Gray and Metz continued to video record despite being informed by official signage and Social Security representatives that video recording is prohibited in Social Security offices without prior permission. Gray and Metz were informed that the video recording rules serve to protect the privacy of customers who come to Social Security offices to conduct business and exchange personal information. Gray and Metz subsequently posted their video recordings, which depicted members of the public and Social Security representatives conducting business, on their public YouTube channels, where Gray and Metz were paid for their videos and solicited donations.

This case was investigated by the Federal Protective Service and the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General. It was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro.