Two Pinellas County Deputies Arrested for Using Government Databases to Track Romantic Interests
On September 30, 2026, two sheriff’s deputies in Pinellas County, Florida were arrested by their own department on felony charges. The officers allegedly misused government databases and automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems to track individuals they had romantic interest in, including a minor who was only 17 years old. One of the deputies reportedly accessed information about one woman over 300 times using ALPR data. This incident has reignited concerns around privacy issues related to law enforcement use of surveillance technology like Flock and other ALPR systems across various jurisdictions in the U.S., prompting renewed scrutiny on how such tools are being utilized. The misuse highlights broader debates about oversight, accountability, and ethical boundaries when it comes to accessing sensitive data for personal purposes. It also raises questions regarding internal controls within law enforcement agencies tasked with maintaining public trust.
