An Indianapolis police officer has been charged with 26 criminal counts, including stalking and official misconduct, after allegedly using Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) system to track individuals without legitimate law-enforcement purposes.
Jonathan Schultz, a former officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), faces 12 counts of official misconduct, 12 counts of fraud, and two counts of stalking, according to court documents. Prosecutors allege he conducted 1,396 searches using Flock’s technology, targeting the license plates of seven women and four men—most of whom he did not know.
Schultz was arrested on September 19 after a Marion County judge found probable cause and issued an arrest warrant. An initial hearing has been scheduled, though no attorney had appeared on his behalf as of Thursday, according to court records.
The charges stem from allegations that Schultz began stalking a woman in September 2023 after meeting her at a workout class at Center Grove High School. Prosecutors claim he searched her license plate in Flock just nine days later. The woman reported to police that she believed Schultz had an unusual obsession with her, citing comments he made after workouts.
Additionally, the affidavit alleges Schultz used Flock data to monitor his ex-wife and another woman he met in a parking lot, where he told her he was an FBI agent conducting surveillance.
Five Officers Suspended Over ALPR Misuse
Schultz is one of five IMPD officers suspended in the last six weeks for improper use of ALPR technology. The others—Michael Rogers, Cassandra Crawley, Matthew Binford, and Abigail Cramer—were each suspended for fraud and official misconduct, according to an IMPD statement released on September 23.
Chief Tanya Terry confirmed that four of the officers have been recommended for termination, while one resigned prior to disciplinary action. The suspensions followed an internal audit of the department’s ALPR system, which revealed unauthorized searches.
How Flock’s ALPR System Works
Flock Safety’s ALPR technology uses high-definition cameras mounted on police vehicles and stationary locations to capture license plate images. The system cross-references plates against law-enforcement databases to identify vehicles associated with crimes or missing persons.
However, the technology also allows officers to conduct historical searches of license plates, enabling them to track the movements of individuals over time. Prosecutors allege Schultz exploited this feature to surveil individuals outside the scope of criminal investigations.
Department Response and Accountability Measures
In response to the allegations, IMPD Chief Tanya Terry stated that the department takes misuse of surveillance technology seriously. "The integrity of our officers and the trust of the community are paramount," Terry said in a statement. "We are committed to holding personnel accountable for violations of policy."
The department has revoked the officers’ access to Flock’s system and launched an internal review to assess compliance with ALPR usage guidelines. The audit was prompted by concerns over potential privacy violations and unauthorized surveillance.
Legal and Policy Implications
The case has drawn attention from lawmakers, with senators calling for tighter regulations on Flock’s surveillance network. Critics argue that ALPR systems, while useful for crime prevention, pose significant privacy risks when misused by law enforcement.
Flock Safety has not publicly commented on the specific allegations but stated in past communications that its technology is designed to assist law enforcement in solving crimes. The company has emphasized compliance with legal and ethical standards in its operations.
The Indianapolis prosecutor’s office has not responded to requests for further comment on the case.