A Cherokee County Sheriff's Deputy has been fired after a routine audit of the department's automated license plate reader database revealed improper access.
Investigators said the audit showed Deputy Cynthia Jodesty put the tag information of another Sheriff's Office employee while performing a "non-legitimate law enforcement purpose."
The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office uses automated license plate reader technology to help identify stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, and support criminal investigations. The system logs all searches, making audits possible.
Jodesty was arrested and faces charges related to the misuse of the law enforcement database. The incident highlights the importance of data privacy protections even within law enforcement agencies.
Sheriff's offices across Georgia have been expanding their use of automated license plate readers, raising questions about oversight and accountability for how the technology is used.