A former Indiana sheriff’s deputy has been charged after allegedly using a law enforcement license plate reader system to monitor his girlfriend for more than a year. Skylar Thompson, 31, faces a Level 6 felony charge of official misconduct and a misdemeanor fraud charge. Prosecutors allege he conducted more than 2,000 searches for the same license plate through Flock camera technology between Dec. 31, 2025, and Aug. 2. The alleged activity was discovered during an internal audit by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
| 1) | How the alleged searches were uncovered |
| 2) | Charges and alleged conduct |
| 3) | Investigation and resignation |
| 4) | What Flock cameras do |
| 5) | Privacy and accountability concerns |
How the alleged searches were uncovered
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department identified the alleged misuse during an internal audit of its Flock camera system. Investigators determined that searches associated with one license plate had been conducted more than 2,000 times during the period beginning Dec. 31, 2025, and ending Aug. 2. The audit prompted the department to request an investigation by the Indiana State Police.
According to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, the searches were allegedly connected to Skylar Thompson, who was then serving as a deputy. The audit provided the basis for examining whether a law enforcement tool had been used for a personal purpose rather than an authorized investigation.
Charges and alleged conduct
Skylar Thompson faces one count of official misconduct, classified as a Level 6 felony in Indiana, along with a misdemeanor count of fraud. Prosecutors allege that he used Flock technology to track the vehicle associated with his girlfriend over a period of more than a year.
Prosecutors also allege that Thompson labeled the searches as “city planning/traffic analysis,” even though he had not been assigned duties involving city planning or traffic analysis. That alleged false designation forms part of the case against him. The charges concern the use of official access and the reported reason given for the searches, not the general operation of the camera network.
Investigation and resignation
Skylar Thompson turned himself in to authorities on Monday, according to the reported case details. He resigned from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department on the day he was confronted about the alleged searches.
The case was referred for outside investigation after the sheriff’s department discovered the activity. Thompson also reportedly drove to his then-girlfriend’s home and admitted what he had done. The allegations remain subject to the criminal court process.
“Law enforcement officers are entrusted with access to sensitive information and investigative tools, and that access must be used responsibly and only for legitimate law enforcement purposes. No person is above the law, including those entrusted with enforcing it.”
What Flock cameras do
Flock cameras are license plate reader systems used by towns and law enforcement agencies across the United States. They can help officers identify vehicles connected to investigations, locate missing people and recover stolen vehicles. The systems record and search vehicle information, making access controls and authorized-use policies central to their operation.
The technology has become more widely used as agencies seek automated tools for public safety work. In this case, prosecutors allege that a system intended for legitimate law enforcement purposes was used to conduct repeated personal searches. The alleged conduct illustrates how access by an individual officer can become a focus of internal audits and criminal investigations.
Privacy and accountability concerns
Flock cameras have faced growing scrutiny over privacy, oversight and the potential misuse of license plate data. Critics and some public officials have called for constitutional safeguards, transparency requirements and clear limits on how information can be accessed and retained.
Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel has defended the technology as an important public safety tool while supporting legislation and privacy, transparency and accountability safeguards. The company’s position is that responsible rules should preserve effective law enforcement uses while limiting improper access. The Indiana case is now testing those principles through the criminal justice system.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The former deputy faces felony official misconduct and misdemeanor fraud charges. |
| 2 | An internal audit allegedly found more than 2,000 searches for one license plate. |
| 3 | The searches were allegedly recorded as city planning or traffic analysis work. |
| 4 | The sheriff’s department referred the matter to Indiana State Police investigators. |
| 5 | The case has renewed attention on privacy and controls governing license plate reader systems. |
Summary
The allegations against Skylar Thompson center on whether he misused restricted law enforcement technology for personal surveillance. The internal audit, subsequent state police investigation and criminal charges underscore the need for agencies to monitor access to sensitive systems and enforce clear limits on their use. The broader debate over Flock cameras continues as communities weigh public safety benefits against privacy and accountability concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does Skylar Thompson face?
He faces one Level 6 felony count of official misconduct and one misdemeanor count of fraud.
How were the alleged searches discovered?
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department found them during an internal audit of its Flock camera technology and then requested an Indiana State Police investigation.
What are Flock cameras used for?
They are license plate reader systems used by law enforcement and municipalities to support investigations, locate missing people and recover stolen vehicles.
