Story perspectives

Judge Suppresses Evidence After Flock Search Violates Fourth Amendment

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 2:44 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill ruled the deputy’s Flock search violated the Fourth Amendment.
U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill suppressed evidence of about 91 pounds of methamphetamine and roughly $7,000 cash.
U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill said the deputy accessed over 50 vehicle sightings across states, showing indiscriminate mass surveillance.
Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Block Flock Act to prohibit federal agencies from using ALPR systems.

History

Historical Context

United States v. Jones (2012) ruled that attaching a GPS tracker without a proper warrant violates the Fourth Amendment, noting the device logged the car’s location for 28 days. In 2024 Judge Sara E. Hill applied that principle to block a deputy’s ALPR-based Flock search. The decision prompted Senator Bernie Sanders to sponsor the Block Flock Act, extending post-Jones efforts to limit mass surveillance.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill ruled the deputy’s Flock search violated the Fourth Amendment.
U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill suppressed evidence of about 91 pounds of methamphetamine and roughly $7,000 cash.
U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill said the deputy accessed over 50 vehicle sightings across states, showing indiscriminate mass surveillance.
Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Block Flock Act to prohibit federal agencies from using ALPR systems.

1 / 2