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.

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.

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.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Three South Carolina teenagers were arrested after allegedly cutting down a Flock Safety camera pole and striking its battery pack with a hammer until it exploded and caught fire. The incident occurred early Aug. 15 along Harmony Church Road in the Edgemoor area of Chester County. Authorities estimated the damage at more than $5,000, while a nearby resident said rain may have prevented the blaze from spreading to homes. The arrests come amid a wider national debate over automated license plate readers, privacy and data sharing.

Arrests follow alleged camera attack

Blaze Fuller, Samuel Carlisle and James Ryerson, all 19, were arrested after investigators said they targeted Flock Safety equipment in the Edgemoor area of Chester County, South Carolina. The alleged attack took place during the early morning hours of Aug. 15 along Harmony Church Road. Authorities said the group first cut down the camera pole and then used a hammer on the equipment mounted with it.

The investigation was handled by the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said the battery pack was struck repeatedly until it exploded and burst into flames. The alleged method caused substantial damage to the surveillance equipment and prompted criminal charges against the three men.

Battery fire raises concerns near homes

The fire created concern for residents living near the camera site because the equipment was close to private property. David Cunupp, an Edgemoor resident, said his home was nearby and that the flames could have caused a more serious incident if weather conditions had been different.

“My house is over here. Could’ve caught fire and burned if it wasn’t for the rain,” Cunupp said.

The sheriff’s office estimated the damage at more than $5,000. The account of the blaze underscores the potential risk of damaging powered equipment near homes, although the available information did not indicate that nearby residences were damaged.

Charges and release details

The three suspects face charges of criminal conspiracy and malicious injury to personal property, according to jail records. Fuller, Carlisle and Ryerson were booked Aug. 18 and released Aug. 19.

Fuller was released after posting a $5,000 bond. The records also showed that Carlisle and Ryerson were released the following day. The allegations remain subject to the legal process, and the available information does not establish a final determination of guilt.

National debate over license plate readers

The alleged destruction occurred as Flock’s automated license plate reader network faced growing scrutiny from privacy advocates, local officials and lawmakers. Supporters say the cameras can help law enforcement investigate crimes and find missing people, while critics question how vehicle location data is collected, stored and shared.

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, launched an investigation into Flock. He said the company had built an “unprecedented national surveillance network” with more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states and more than 20 billion vehicle scans each month. Flock spokesperson Paris Lewbel said the company would respond directly to Hawley’s questions and explain the safeguards built into its platform.

Communities weigh public safety and privacy

The disagreement has also produced local government action. In Hood County, Texas, officials voted to end the county’s relationship with Flock and directed that three cameras be disconnected and covered until they could be removed.

Constable John Shirley said the cameras had been continuously scanning and recording people traveling through the county. He also said he supported technology that helps police solve crimes, locate missing people and find dangerous suspects, but argued that public safety should be balanced with limits on government access and individual privacy.

“We can have good policing and still insist on boundaries,” Shirley wrote. “We can use technology without giving government unlimited surveillance capability.”

Summary

The South Carolina case combines alleged property destruction, a potentially dangerous equipment fire and broader concerns about surveillance technology. Authorities have charged three men in connection with the Edgemoor incident, while communities elsewhere are reconsidering how automated license plate readers should be deployed and governed. The case remains pending as the national debate focuses on both crime prevention and civil liberties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to the Flock camera?

Investigators said the camera pole was cut down and the battery pack was struck with a hammer until it exploded and caught fire.

Who was arrested?

Blaze Fuller, Samuel Carlisle and James Ryerson, all 19, were arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy and malicious injury to personal property.

Why are Flock cameras facing criticism?

Critics and some officials have raised concerns about privacy, data sharing and the creation of broad vehicle location databases, while supporters say the cameras help solve crimes and locate missing people.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

A man dressed as the Star Wars villain Darth Vader appeared at a San Diego City Council committee meeting to mockingly defend Flock surveillance technology. Speaking through the council chamber microphone with the character’s trademark heavy breathing, he portrayed the cameras as tools for the fictional Emperor. His remarks also highlighted concerns about license plate tracking, data retention and the monitoring of children and residents. San Diego police use Flock automated license plate readers at approximately 500 locations across the city.

A theatrical appearance at the council meeting

The costumed speaker appeared Wednesday before San Diego’s Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee. He approached the public podium wearing Darth Vader’s black armor and helmet, while amplified breathing effects added to the performance. Committee members addressed him as Darth Vader as he used the Star Wars setting to criticize officials’ support for surveillance technology.

He said the cameras would help the fictional Emperor locate rebel forces and track Luke Skywalker. The performance was aimed at council members and the public during an ongoing debate over whether automated surveillance tools provide public safety benefits at an unacceptable cost to privacy.

This is what the emperor needs. This technology will help us find the rebel scum and the hidden base on Hoth.

The surveillance technology being debated

The remarks focused on Flock products, which include automated license plate readers, video cameras and audio-detection systems. The plate readers record license plate numbers and associated vehicle characteristics, including make, model and color. Some systems can also identify features such as bumper stickers and aftermarket modifications.

The speaker extended the fictional analogy to everyday movements, describing travel from playgrounds to pools and gyms as a form of tracking. He also made a personal joke about needing the cameras to stalk an ex-girlfriend. His comments were designed to ridicule the breadth of information that critics believe these systems can collect.

The Emperor is a fan of Flock, and we must continue utilizing Flock technologies so that we can follow and surveil the rebel scum as they move from playground to playground, from playground to pool, from pool to gymnasium.

San Diego’s Flock camera network

The San Diego Police Department reported using Flock automated license plate recognition cameras at approximately 500 locations citywide. Police say the system supports official law enforcement work, including locating vehicles connected to investigations. The cameras are part of a broader national debate, with activists and some public officials seeking alternatives to automated tracking systems.

The citywide network is supplemented in public discussions by a crowdsourced map maintained by an anti-surveillance project. That map includes additional camera entries, but it is not an official city inventory. The distinction is significant because the police department’s reported camera count and independently collected information do not necessarily measure the same network.

Privacy concerns and police safeguards

Critics argue that repeated plate scans can reveal patterns in where people travel, even when individuals are not suspected of a crime. During the meeting, the speaker addressed City Council member Jennifer Campbell and accused the council of asking residents to trust officials while approving surveillance technology. He compared her political persuasion efforts to Jedi mind tricks.

How will the people trust this City Council when this City Council continues to vote for surveillance technology that imprisons them? Ms. Campbell, you must work on your Jedi mind tricks.

The police department says access to its automated license plate reader database is limited to authorized personnel. It also says data is retained for up to 30 days and automatically deleted unless preserved as evidence in an active investigation. Those policies are intended to limit long-term storage, although local activists continue to question how the technology is governed and overseen.

The separate Flock Nova pilot agreement

In December 2025, the police department signed a one-year pilot agreement for Flock Nova, a separate investigative platform designed to integrate data from multiple sources. The agreement became part of the local debate because of concerns about combining information from different surveillance systems.

The department later said it was not using the platform and did not plan to integrate its license plate reader data into it. The clarification distinguishes Flock Nova from the Flock license plate reader cameras already used at locations around San Diego, while public criticism of surveillance technology continues.

Summary

The theatrical council appearance underscored the tension between law enforcement’s stated use of automated license plate readers and privacy advocates’ concerns about persistent location tracking. San Diego police maintain that access controls and limited retention govern their camera data, while critics continue to seek greater restrictions and alternatives. The separate Flock Nova pilot adds another layer to the debate, though police say they are not using it or integrating it with their license plate reader data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened at the San Diego council meeting?

A man dressed as Darth Vader addressed the Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee and used Star Wars references to mockingly defend Flock surveillance technology.

How many Flock cameras does San Diego police use?

The police department reported using automated license plate recognition cameras at approximately 500 locations citywide.

How long is license plate reader data retained?

Police say the data is retained for up to 30 days and automatically deleted unless it is preserved as evidence in an active investigation.

Is Flock Nova being used in San Diego?

The department said it was not using the separate Flock Nova platform and did not plan to integrate its license plate reader data into it.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer for Felipe Alvarado Hernandez, a 47-year-old man accused of driving a pickup truck onto a downtown Nashville sidewalk and injuring four people. Police say the truck struck the victims while Hernandez was attempting to turn left. One victim remained hospitalized in a burn unit as of July 29, while two others reportedly required wheelchairs. Hernandez faces multiple traffic and failure-to-assist charges after his arrest more than a month after the incident.

The Department of Homeland Security said Hernandez entered the United States at an unknown date and location. Immigration officials also said he had previously agreed to leave the country in 2004 after a Michigan police referral connected to a retail fraud arrest that was later dropped.

Crash injured four people in downtown Nashville

The incident occurred in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, when a pickup truck allegedly moved onto a sidewalk during a left turn. According to police information, the vehicle struck four people. The reported injuries included two victims who needed wheelchairs, and a Department of Homeland Security official said one person was still receiving treatment at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Burn Unit on July 29.

The allegations concern a hit-and-run crash because the driver was accused of leaving the scene rather than providing information or aid. The circumstances described by police place the vehicle, the pedestrians and the alleged failure to remain at the scene at the center of the investigation.

Charges followed a delayed arrest

Hernandez was arrested more than a month after the downtown crash. The supplied police account gives June 13 in connection with the arrest information and separately states that he was arrested on July 28, creating a discrepancy in the reported dates. The available account does not explain the difference.

The charges listed against Hernandez are leaving the scene of an accident, failing to give information or render aid, failing to file a report involving injury or damage, violating financial responsibility requirements in a case involving injury, and driving with a revoked license. These are allegations, and the charges do not establish guilt.

ICE lodged a detainer after the charges

ICE New Orleans lodged a detainer for Hernandez after he was charged, according to a DHS official. A detainer is a request from immigration authorities asking a law enforcement agency to notify ICE before releasing a person and, where applicable, to maintain custody for a limited period so immigration officials can assume custody.

The agency said its interest followed the Nashville charges and the alleged danger to members of the public. Scott Ladwig, acting field office director for Enforcement and Removal Operations in New Orleans, said ICE would work with law enforcement partners when people who are unlawfully present are accused of violating the law.

“When illegal aliens break our laws and endanger our communities, ICE will work with our law enforcement partners to ensure they face the consequences of their actions.”

Ladwig added that officers remain committed to enforcing the law professionally, protecting the public and maintaining public trust.

Immigration history includes a 2004 departure agreement

DHS said Hernandez entered the country at an unknown time and through an unknown location. The agency also said he agreed to leave the United States on January 5, 2004, after the Roseville Police Department in Michigan referred him to immigration authorities following an arrest for retail fraud.

That retail fraud case was later dropped, according to the account. The supplied information does not state whether Hernandez departed the country as agreed, when he may have returned, or what immigration proceedings occurred afterward. Those unresolved details are part of the broader immigration context surrounding the current detainer.

Investigators used license plate reader technology

Investigators used license plate reader technology to identify the pickup truck involved in the Nashville incident and obtain information connected to the vehicle. Such technology can help police trace a vehicle’s movements or identify its registered information, although the supplied account does not describe the specific reader location or the full investigative timeline.

The technology provided a lead after the alleged crash, while police and immigration officials handled separate responsibilities. Local authorities brought the criminal charges, and ICE pursued the immigration detainer after Hernandez was charged.

Summary

The Nashville investigation combines alleged hit-and-run conduct, serious injuries and an immigration detainer. Hernandez faces state charges, while ICE seeks custody based on his immigration history and the current allegations. The reported arrest-date discrepancy remains unresolved in the available information, and the criminal allegations have not been adjudicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Felipe Alvarado Hernandez?

Felipe Alvarado Hernandez is a 47-year-old man accused of driving a pickup truck onto a downtown Nashville sidewalk and injuring four people.

What charges does Hernandez face?

He faces charges related to leaving the scene, failing to provide information or aid, failing to file an accident report, a financial responsibility violation involving injury, and driving with a revoked license.

Why does ICE want custody of him?

ICE New Orleans lodged a detainer after Hernandez was charged. DHS also cited his immigration history, including a 2004 agreement to leave the United States.

How did investigators identify the vehicle?

Police used license plate reader technology to obtain information about the pickup truck allegedly involved in the crash.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

A routine grocery delivery in Atlanta became a child safety emergency on July 30 when a vehicle was allegedly taken with a 2-year-old girl inside. The child’s mother called 911 after returning from an Instacart delivery and discovering that her running car was gone. Police used license plate readers to locate the vehicle and rescue the toddler in less than 15 minutes, according to authorities.

Newly released emergency call audio and body camera footage show the mother’s distress and the police operation that followed. The child was found unharmed and reunited with her parents, while 21-year-old Saleem Martin was taken into custody and charged in connection with the incident.

An arrest warrant also describes allegations involving the child after the vehicle was located. Investigators with the department’s Special Victims Unit were brought into the case.

911 call reports a stolen vehicle with a child inside

The incident unfolded at approximately 4:36 p.m. on July 30 in Atlanta. Police said the mother had left the vehicle running while she completed an Instacart delivery. When she returned, the vehicle and her daughter were gone.

In the emergency call, the mother told a dispatcher that someone had stolen her car and that her 2-year-old daughter was in the backseat. She repeated that the child was inside as the dispatcher gathered information needed to begin the response.

“Someone just stole my car and it has my 2-year-old daughter in it.”

License plate readers help police find the car

Officers from Atlanta’s Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit began searching for the vehicle immediately. Authorities used the city’s license plate reader network to identify the car’s location and track the suspect and child.

Police said the technology allowed officers to locate the vehicle in under 15 minutes. The rapid search focused on recovering the toddler and stopping the vehicle safely before the situation could develop further.

Officers arrest the suspect and secure the toddler

Body camera footage shows officers surrounding the vehicle and ordering the driver to raise his hands and exit. Officers directed him to place his hands on the window, turn away and put his hands behind his back.

The footage shows Saleem Martin being handcuffed as the child cried nearby. Her mother comforted her while officers assessed her condition.

“The child is okay. The child’s okay,” an officer reported over the radio.

Authorities said the toddler was not injured and was reunited with her parents after the recovery.

Warrant details additional allegations involving the child

According to an arrest warrant, the mother later noticed that the bottom of her daughter’s dress was unbuttoned. The warrant alleges that the child told her mother, “the man did it.” These allegations remain part of the investigation.

The warrant further alleges that Martin had both hands on the child’s torso when officers found him and that he was attempting to hide between the vehicle’s seats. Investigators said Martin told them he had been touching the child to calm her, according to accounts of the warrant.

Martin also allegedly told investigators that he entered the vehicle because he was trying to return to New Jersey and did not realize the child was in the backseat until after he drove away. Investigators said he later realized an iPad was inside the vehicle and discarded it because he believed it could be used to track him.

Martin faces multiple criminal charges

Police charged Martin with kidnapping, theft by taking, simple battery, entering an automobile, cruelty to children and criminal attempt to commit a felony. The charges reflect the alleged vehicle theft, the presence of the child and additional allegations described in the warrant.

The department’s Special Victims Unit is participating in the investigation. The available information describes allegations rather than court findings, and the case will proceed through the legal system.

Summary

Atlanta police responded quickly after a mother reported that her vehicle had been taken with her toddler inside. Technology, including license plate readers, helped officers recover the child and arrest the alleged driver. The investigation continues, including review of the allegations outlined in the arrest warrant.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the alleged theft occur?

Police said the incident occurred at approximately 4:36 p.m. on July 30 in Atlanta.

How was the vehicle located?

Atlanta police used license plate readers to locate the vehicle, suspect and child in under 15 minutes, according to authorities.

Was the child injured?

Authorities said the toddler was unharmed and reunited with her parents.

What charges does Saleem Martin face?

Martin faces charges including kidnapping, theft by taking, simple battery, entering an automobile, cruelty to children and criminal attempt to commit a felony.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.

A routine grocery delivery in Atlanta became a child-endangerment investigation after police said a vehicle was stolen with a 2-year-old girl inside. Newly released 911 audio and body camera footage show the child’s mother reporting the theft and officers taking the suspect into custody. Police said the child was located unharmed in less than 15 minutes.

The incident occurred at about 4:36 p.m. on July 30, after the vehicle was left running during an Instacart delivery. Authorities identified the suspect as Saleem Martin, 21, who faces multiple charges connected to the alleged theft and the child’s presence in the vehicle.

The investigation continued after the child’s mother reported an observation about the girl’s clothing and said the toddler made a statement about the man who had been driving. Police assigned the case to their Special Victims Unit.

911 call reports a child inside the stolen vehicle

The child’s mother called Atlanta 911 after returning from an Instacart delivery and finding that her vehicle was gone. She told the dispatcher that her 2-year-old daughter had remained in the backseat. The vehicle had reportedly been left running while the mother completed the delivery.

“Someone just stole my car and it has my 2-year-old daughter in it.”

The mother repeated that her daughter was inside as the dispatcher confirmed the circumstances. Her account prompted an immediate search focused on recovering both the vehicle and the child.

License plate readers help locate the car

Atlanta police officers from the Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit began searching for the vehicle shortly after the call. Police said the city’s license plate reader system helped identify the car’s location and track the suspect’s movements.

According to the department, officers located the vehicle, the suspect and the child in under 15 minutes. The technology gave investigators a way to narrow the search quickly after the reported theft, while officers moved to intercept the vehicle safely.

Officers arrest the suspect and recover the toddler

Body camera footage released by police shows officers surrounding the vehicle and ordering the driver to raise his hands and exit. Officers instructed him to place his hands on the window and then behind his back as they took him into custody.

The video shows the toddler crying as her mother tried to calm her. An officer later radioed that the child was safe. Police said the girl was unharmed and reunited with her parents after the recovery.

“It’s okay, baby. It’s okay, baby,” the mother told her daughter.

Arrest warrant details additional allegations

An arrest warrant alleges that the mother later noticed the bottom of her daughter’s dress was unbuttoned. The warrant also states that the toddler told her mother, “the man did it,” referring to the person who had driven the vehicle.

The warrant alleges that Saleem Martin had both hands on the child’s torso when officers found him and was attempting to hide between the seats. Police brought the Special Victims Unit into the investigation to examine the allegations involving the child.

Investigators said Martin claimed he had touched the child while trying to calm her. He also allegedly told investigators that he entered the vehicle because he wanted to return to New Jersey and did not realize the toddler was in the backseat until after driving away. Police further alleged that he discarded an iPad after realizing it could be used to track him.

Suspect faces kidnapping and other charges

Police charged Saleem Martin with kidnapping, theft by taking, simple battery, entering an automobile, cruelty to children and criminal attempt to commit a felony. The charges reflect the alleged vehicle theft as well as the circumstances involving the child.

The allegations remain part of an active criminal case. The toddler’s reported recovery without physical injury was followed by further investigative work into what occurred inside the vehicle and the suspect’s conduct before officers arrived.

Summary

Atlanta police said a fast response using license plate readers led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and a 2-year-old girl on July 30. The child was reported unharmed and returned to her parents, while Saleem Martin was arrested and charged with several offenses. Further investigation is focused on the allegations described in the arrest warrant and the events inside the vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the alleged theft occur?

Police said it occurred at about 4:36 p.m. on July 30 during an Instacart delivery in Atlanta.

Was the child injured?

Authorities said the toddler was unharmed and reunited with her parents after officers recovered the vehicle.

What charges does the suspect face?

Police charged Saleem Martin with kidnapping, theft by taking, simple battery, entering an automobile, cruelty to children and criminal attempt to commit a felony.

©2025 News Journos. All rights reserved.