Full Breakdown
Misuse of Flock License-Plate Readers Leads to Arrests of Law-Enforcement Officers
8/13/2026, 12:07:33 PM
Core Event: Arrests Over Personal Use of Flock Data
Three former Bibb County, Georgia, sheriff’s deputies—Toni Cierra Lewis, Coznavian Stubbs and Joseph Marquee Callaway (37)—were arrested on stalking-related charges after an internal audit showed they accessed the Flock license-plate reader system for “personal, non-law-enforcement purposes.” Each deputy had used the system to track individuals with whom they had a personal relationship at the time.
In a separate case in Haines City, Florida, Officer Christopher Goodson was placed on paid administrative leave and arrested after investigators determined he made 717 unauthorized inquiries into his estranged wife’s vehicle using the same Flock platform between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026. Goodson faces one count of offenses against users of computer systems and one count of official misconduct.
Background & Context: Flock Cameras and Built-In Auditing
Flock cameras are automated license-plate readers that photograph vehicles and store plate data to aid investigations, locate missing persons, and recover stolen vehicles. In April 2026, Flock introduced an “Audit Assistance” feature that continuously monitors system activity and flags search patterns that deviate from typical agency usage. Bibb County’s internal audit, conducted with Flock’s assistance, identified the deputies’ misuse and prompted the arrests.
Data & Statistics
- Georgia arrests: three former deputies charged with stalking, prohibited use of license-plate data, and violation of oath.
- Florida misuse: 717 unauthorized queries logged by Officer Goodson over a 22-month period (September 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026).
Official Statements & Responses
He added that the department will maintain quarterly oversight steps to ensure legitimate use of the technology.
Criticism & Opposition
Privacy advocates argue that the technology’s data-retention capabilities create opportunities for overreach.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When you're driving your car, you don't have an expectation of privacy. Reading the license plates is much different than facial recognition software, which has its limitations, so here, using that technology, you're able to register where a car has passed, and then, depending on the investigation, you can track where it has been over time,” — Greg Sanfilippo, the vice president of intelligence with Doyle Security Service
- “Whoever is searching these databases, it's just as easy to have a program monitoring the reason why they're checking, as well as the frequency of what and who they're checking. So that should vary based on their assignment,” — Greg Sanfilippo, the vice president of intelligence with Doyle Security Service
Timeline
- September 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026: Officer Goodson’s 717 unauthorized inquiries (as documented in the arrest affidavit).
- April 2026: Flock releases Audit Assistance tool.
- Early August 2026: Arrests of the three Bibb County deputies announced.
The cases illustrate how built-in auditing tools can uncover personal exploitation of law-enforcement databases, prompting legal action and renewed calls for stricter oversight of license-plate reader systems.
