A Clayton County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested and charged with allegedly misusing a Flock Safety licence-plate reader system for non-law-enforcement purposes.
Errol Farrell Jr, 40, of Lithonia, Georgia, surrendered to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) on Tuesday, 1 September, and was booked into Clayton County Jail. ([gbi.georgia.gov](https://gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-09-02/gbi-arrests-clayton-county-sheriffs-office-deputy-misuse-license-plate?utm_source=openai))
The investigation began after the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to examine allegations concerning its Flock Safety system, which records vehicle registration plates and can alert officers to stolen vehicles or cars linked to wanted suspects.
Investigators have not disclosed when the system was allegedly accessed, what searches were carried out or whose registration details may have been viewed. The GBI has also not said whether Mr Farrell remains employed by the sheriff’s office or has been placed on administrative leave.
The investigation remains active. Once it is complete, the case file will be sent to the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, the GBI said. ([gbi.georgia.gov](https://gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-09-02/gbi-arrests-clayton-county-sheriffs-office-deputy-misuse-license-plate?utm_source=openai))
Anyone with information has been asked to contact the GBI’s Atlanta Regional Investigative Office in Conyers on 770-388-5019. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the agency’s tip line on 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or its mobile reporting application. ([gbi.georgia.gov](https://gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-09-02/gbi-arrests-clayton-county-sheriffs-office-deputy-misuse-license-plate?utm_source=openai))
