An investigator with the Albany County Sheriff’s Office has been arrested for allegedly misusing a controversial license plate reader system to track several individuals, including a former girlfriend.
Laurie Moore, 47, a 13-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, is accused of using Flock Safety cameras to search for her ex-girlfriend’s vehicle approximately 3,000 times. Authorities also allege she conducted hundreds of searches on four other license plates.
The Flock system, which uses artificial intelligence to read license plates, is employed by law enforcement agencies across the United States to identify vehicles associated with criminal activity. These cameras are installed on public roadways, neighborhood entrances, highways, parking lots, and school campuses.
However, the system has drawn criticism regarding privacy concerns and the potential for misuse by authorities. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple stated that Moore gained access to the system at the end of 2024.
Moore was arrested Wednesday following a tip from an external source, according to Sheriff Apple. He informed WRGB that the office has since implemented stricter controls on data access, limiting it to supervisors and requiring an audit process reviewed by Internal Affairs every 30 days, with escalation to an undersheriff or chief.
"What happened here is a breach of that trust. And for that, I’m truly sorry. But let me be clear. It also demonstrates that when somebody abuses that trust, we’ll hold them accountable," Sheriff Apple said.
Moore faces misdemeanor charges of second-degree falsifying business records and official misconduct. She is also accused of improperly accessing state Department of Vehicle records for unauthorized purposes. Moore has been suspended from her position pending the outcome of the investigation. Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 24.