Indiana police officer arrested for alleged misuse of Flock license plate cameras to track wife

Justin Craig charged with official misconduct after hundreds of unauthorized searches; attorney says conduct does not violate law

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published23 October 2026

Read Time2 min

An Indiana police officer has been arrested on allegations that he used automated license plate reader technology from the company Flock to repeatedly search his wife's vehicle and that of an acquaintance, in a case that has renewed scrutiny of police access to surveillance networks. Justin Craig, a Georgetown police department officer, was charged with official misconduct and two counts of fraud after documents showed he searched his wife's license plate more than 80 times and an acquaintance's plate nearly 250 times between January and July.

The investigation was triggered, according to documents, when a reporter from the Washington Post called the Georgetown police chief with a tip. An internal review by the Georgetown police found that the searches Craig conducted on the Flock system were unrelated to any police investigations and that he had intentionally mislabeled the searches to appear justified, using categories such as traffic infractions, narcotics, assault and battery, theft and stolen vehicles.

Flock's cameras are automated license plate readers (ALPRs) that capture images of vehicle plates to track movement. The company reports about 120,000 cameras across the United States, conducting roughly 2 billion scans monthly, and provides technology to more than 4,800 law enforcement agencies and nearly 1,000 businesses. Flock says it intends its technology for criminal investigations but has faced bipartisan backlash over privacy concerns and data-sharing, including reports of officers using the cameras to stalk former partners or track individuals seeking abortions. The network is also used by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

After Craig's arrest, his attorney, Matthew Lemme, released a statement to multiple news outlets defending his client. "Flock sells this same technology to cities, homeowners associations, and shopping malls," Lemme said. "When public criticism of it came, the response was to put it on the shoulders of individual police officers. The conduct alleged does not violate any law or department policy." Lemme argued that if the public or police agencies believe the practice should be restricted, the proper response is to write new law or policy, not charge officers before that conversation happens. He said Craig would file a motion to dismiss the charges.

In August, Flock's CEO announced that the company would take steps to curb police abuses by requiring law enforcement agencies to switch on features that could audit how individual officers use the tracking capabilities.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The case highlights the potential for abuse of automated license plate readers, which are increasingly common in US policing.
Questions about accountability and oversight of surveillance technology affect public trust in law enforcement and raise privacy concerns for millions of drivers.
The outcome could influence policy debates about restricting police access to such data or mandating more rigorous auditing.

Background

Flock's ALPR cameras are widely deployed across the US, logging billions of plate scans monthly. The company markets the technology as a crime-fighting tool, but multiple reports have emerged of police officers misusing the system for personal reasons, including stalking and tracking individuals. Privacy advocates have long warned that the vast network of cameras creates a searchable database of vehicle movements with limited safeguards. Flock has announced plans to add auditing features, but critics argue that voluntary measures are insufficient.

Key Perspectives

Officer Justin Craig and his attorney: The conduct alleged does not violate any law or policy, and the response to criticism should be legislative, not prosecutorial. They argue that Flock is shifting blame to individual officers to deflect scrutiny from its own technology. Privacy advocates and civil liberties groups: The case is evidence of systemic problems with police access to surveillance tools. They push for stricter state and federal laws limiting use of ALPR data, mandatory audits, and stronger penalties for misuse. Flock Safety: The company has stated that it intends its technology for criminal investigations and has taken steps to improve accountability, such as requiring agencies to enable audit features. It has not commented directly on this specific case.

What to Watch

The court proceedings on Craig's motion to dismiss and any subsequent trial.
Whether other law enforcement agencies adopt the auditing features Flock promised in August.
Potential legislative action in Indiana or at the federal level to regulate police access to ALPR data.

Sources

Indiana police officer arrested for using Flock cameras to search wife · The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedCraig was arrested for allegedly using Flock cameras to track his wife.World news | The Guardian: “An Indiana police officer has been arrested on allegations that he misused Flock cameras hundreds of times in a case involving his wife and a previous acquaintance of hers.”
Partly supportedCraig was charged after hundreds of unauthorized searches.World news | The Guardian: “Documents show that he searched his wife’s license plate more than 80 times and that of a “previous acquaintance” of hers nearly 250 times”
SupportedCraig was charged with official misconduct and two counts of fraud.World news | The Guardian: “Georgetown police department officer Justin Craig was charged with official misconduct and two counts of fraud.”
Partly supportedDocuments show Craig searched his wife’s plate more than 80 times and an acquaintance’s plate nearly 250 times between January and July.World news | The Guardian: “Documents show that he searched his wife’s license plate more than 80 times and that of a “previous acquaintance” of hers nearly 250 times”
SupportedThe Washington Post reporter’s tip triggered the investigation.World news | The Guardian: “A reporter from the Washington Post triggered the investigation, the documents show, after he called the Georgetown police chief with the tip.”
SupportedThe internal review found the searches were unrelated to police investigations and intentionally mislabeled to appear justified.World news | The Guardian: “An internal review by the Georgetown police found that the searches Craig conducted on the Flock system were unrelated to any police investigations, and he had intentionally mislabeled those searches to make them appear justified.”
Not in the sourcesThe case has renewed scrutiny of police access to surveillance networks.World news | The Guardian
Partly supportedFlock reports about 120,000 US cameras, roughly 2 billion monthly scans, and service to more than 4,800 law-enforcement agencies and nearly 1,000 businesses.World news | The Guardian: “There are about 120,000 Flock cameras across the US, which conduct roughly 2bn scans monthly. Flock, the company behind the tech, provides cameras and software to more than 4,800 law enforcement agencies and nearly 1,000 businesses.”
Partly supportedReports describe officers using the cameras to stalk former partners or track people seeking abortions.World news | The Guardian: “That includes officers who have been accused of using the cameras to stalk former romantic partners and to track down individuals seeking abortions.”
SupportedLemme said, “The conduct alleged does not violate any law or department policy.”World news | The Guardian: “The conduct alleged does not violate any law or department policy.”
SupportedLemme said Craig would file a motion to dismiss the charges.World news | The Guardian: “Officer Craig will file a motion to dismiss the charges against him.”
SupportedIn August, Flock’s CEO announced steps requiring law-enforcement agencies to switch on features that could audit officers’ use of the tracking capabilities.World news | The Guardian: “In August, Flock’s CEO announced the company would be taking steps to curb police abuses of its tech by mandating that law enforcement agencies switch on features that could help audit the way individual officers use its tracking capabilities.”