Two Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies were arrested on September 30 after a TCPalm‑USA TODAY investigation uncovered repeated misuse of automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) systems.

The deputies, part of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, faced charges for abusing computer systems, including the Flock Safety platform, to conduct personal searches that were not job‑related.

TCPalm Inquiry Sparks Audit

The investigation began when TCPalm asked the sheriff’s office on August 20 about “abnormal” Flock Safety searches. The office admitted it had not audited its ALPR usage until the query, prompting a rapid internal review. The audit uncovered that one deputy, Karl Gwynne, 57, had queried a woman’s license plate 300 times between January 2025 and July 2026, with 207 of those searches occurring while he was off duty.

"This high number of queries for a single individual raises serious concerns about privacy and abuse of law‑enforcement tools," said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri at a news conference.

Arrests and Charges

Following the audit, the sheriff’s office announced the arrests of the two deputies on September 30. Both were charged with misusing police computer systems, a felony offense in Florida that can result in imprisonment and loss of law‑enforcement credentials. The department has placed additional deputies on leave, fired some, and continues to investigate other possible violations.

Broader Context of ALPR Misuse

Automated license‑plate readers are designed to help law‑enforcement track stolen vehicles, locate suspects, and enhance public safety. However, Florida statutes require that searches be job‑related and that agencies maintain logs to prevent privacy infringements. Misuse can lead to criminal charges and civil liability.

Key Facts

• Deputies Arrested: Two Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies
• Charges: Misuse of police computer systems, including ALPR abuse
• Key Individual: Karl Gwynne, 57, performed 300 plate searches, 207 off duty
• Date of Arrests: 2026‑09‑30
• Current Status: In custody, pending court proceedings
• Investigation Trigger: TCPalm‑USA TODAY inquiry on August 20

Looking Ahead

The sheriff’s office has pledged a full review of all ALPR usage and will implement stricter oversight to prevent future abuse. Additional disciplinary actions may follow as the investigation expands. Community groups are calling for stronger privacy protections and transparent reporting of ALPR data.