A senior investigator with the Albany County Sheriff's Office has been suspended and faces charges after allegedly misusing Flock surveillance cameras to stalk her ex-girlfriend. Laurie Moore, 47, is accused of conducting more than 3,000 unauthorized searches on her former partner's vehicle and over 1,000 additional searches involving four other individuals known to her.
Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple announced Moore's arrest on Wednesday, stating that an outside tip initiated the investigation. The alleged misuse of the Flock system began around the end of 2024. "What happened here is a breach of that trust. And for that, I'm truly sorry. But let me be clear,' Apple said. 'It also demonstrates that when somebody abuses that trust, we'll hold them accountable."
The investigation also resulted in a command staff member being placed on administrative leave, though no other staff members were found to have mishandled the Flock system. Sheriff Apple expressed frustration with the alleged misuse, given his past support for Flock programs in law enforcement.
"I've seen firsthand the good that it can do," Apple said. "It's helped us solve heinous cases from murders, organized retail theft, burglaries that might have otherwise gone unsolved. I know that there is a lot of skepticism. I understand that, but people have to trust us, and they also have to trust us that when there is a breach in that trust, that we will take the appropriate actions. And I think this demonstrates just that."
Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon echoed these sentiments, noting the system's value in apprehending criminals and locating missing children. "It finds missing kids and gives families answers that they otherwise would not have. It is invaluable and it is worth protecting. Which is exactly why we cannot be let it used in any other way."
In response to the incident, the sheriff's department has revised its policies regarding access to the Flock database. Access is now restricted to supervisors, and all usage is subject to a monthly audit by Internal Affairs.
Moore faces charges of official misconduct and falsifying business records, both classified as misdemeanors. She is scheduled to appear in court on September 24 and has not yet entered a plea.