A former Herkimer County man pleaded guilty to setting up a secret camera in a co-ed employee bathroom at his middle school near Albany.

According to Albany County Assistant District Attorney P. David Soares, Patrick Morgan, 58, of Colonie, formerly of Frankfort, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree unlawful surveillance, a class E felony, before Judge Andra Ackerman in Albany County Court.

Colonie Police said on or about Feb. 11 of this year, while at Sand Creek Middle School in Colonie, Morgan, a long-time teacher, installed a camera in a staff bathroom at the school, with the intent of using the recordings for sexual gratification.

Morgan's guilty plea satisfied all 22 counts he initially faced, Soares said.

"As an employee of Sand Creek Middle School, Patrick Morgan enjoyed a high level of trust among his peers," said Assistant District Attorney Ariel Fallon. "His actions, which violated the privacy of 28 people, are an egregious betrayal of that trust. In the Special Victims Unit, we take exploitation very seriously and hope that today's resolution provides his victims with some peace of mind and closure."

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 25. Morgan faces an indeterminate term of 2-6 years in state prison. Additionally, 28 no-contact orders of protection have been issued on behalf of the victims, and he will be required to register as a sex offender.