Documented Incident
Richmond prosecutors decline charges against police sergeant who shared Flock data with FBI
Event: April 30, 2026 · First reported: August 31, 2026 · 1 source
Richmond Police disclosed in an April 30 news release that a sergeant shared an image from one of the department's 99 Flock cameras with an FBI special agent seeking a vehicle photo tied to a homicide investigation in Washington, D.C. Virginia law bars state law enforcement from sharing automatic license plate reader data with out-of-state agencies, and a prohibited disclosure is a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin declined to file charges, telling the Richmond Times-Dispatch the decision rested on "a lack of criminal intent." Police Chief Rick Edwards said an internal investigation was conducted and the sergeant's ALPR access was deactivated; the sergeant remains employed by the department.
The case illustrates how criminal penalties written into state ALPR statutes may go unenforced when prosecutors conclude intent cannot be shown, leaving internal discipline as the primary consequence. It also highlights the gap between Virginia's restriction on out-of-state data sharing and routine federal requests for that data.
Key facts
- Richmond police said the sergeant provided a Flock camera image to an FBI special agent investigating a homicide in Washington, D.C.
- Virginia law prohibits sharing ALPR data with out-of-state agencies; violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
- Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin said charges would require evidence of criminal intent or of dissemination for personal or financial gain.
- The sergeant's ALPR access was deactivated after an internal Office of Professional Standards investigation, but the sergeant still works for the department.
- The article notes officers in 12 other states have been charged or indicted over unlawful ALPR use, including alleged tracking of relatives or former partners.
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Why Virginia prosecutors didn’t charge a police sergeant who broke state law on Flock cameras (Daily Press, August 31, 2026)
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About this record
BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.
Updated September 1, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.