Former Hall County Investigator Accused of Misusing Flock License Plate Reader System

GAINESVILLE, Ga. – A former Hall County Sheriff’s Office investigator has been arrested after authorities said he accessed the Flock Safety license plate reader system for purposes unrelated to law enforcement.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Justin Brown, 42, of Dahlonega on two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system and two counts of violation of oath of office.

Brown was employed as an investigator with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office at the time of the alleged offenses, according to the GBI.

The investigation began after the Sheriff’s Office conducted an internal audit of its Flock Safety system and discovered suspected employee misuse. The agency asked the GBI on Aug. 18 to conduct an independent investigation.

Preliminary information indicates Brown accessed the system for non-law enforcement purposes, the GBI said. Authorities did not disclose what Brown allegedly searched for, whose information was accessed or the circumstances surrounding the two alleged instances of misuse.

Brown was booked into the Hall County Detention Center. The GBI did not provide information about his bond status or current employment status with the Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation remains active. Once completed, the GBI will turn the case over to the Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. That office was appointed to handle the case by the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia.

Anyone with information can contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Cleveland at 706-348-4866 or the GBI Tipline at 800-597-TIPS (8477).