𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳’𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division has concluded a criminal investigation involving Lieutenant John McKenzie, Inv. Curtis Hoskins, and Deputy Joshua Johnson regarding the unauthorized use of the Flock License Plate Reader (LPR) System.
The investigation determined that all three deputies knowingly accessed the Flock Camera System to search license plate numbers for reasons unrelated to any official law enforcement purpose. Investigators determined the searches were conducted for personal reasons and were not connected to any criminal investigation, call for service, intelligence gathering, or other legitimate law enforcement activity.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office maintains strict policies governing the use of all criminal justice information systems, including the Flock License Plate Reader System. Access to these resources is authorized only when directly related to official law enforcement duties. Any personal use or unauthorized access is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
As a result of the investigation, Lt. McKenzie, Inv. Hoskins, and Deputy Johnson were arrested and charged with:
• Misuse of License Plate Readers
• Violation of Oath of Office
Following the arrests, all three turned themselves into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center.
The investigation further determined that all three deputies’ actions violated multiple Richmond County Sheriff’s Office policies, including the unauthorized access and misuse of law enforcement databases and information systems, conduct unbecoming a member of the Sheriff’s Office, and the ethical obligations associated with the Oath of Office.
Sheriff Eugene Brantley remains committed to ensuring the integrity and accountability of every member of the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office. Allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated, and employees found to have violated the law or agency policy will be held accountable.
The criminal investigation determined that all three deputies intentionally misused the Flock Camera System for a non-law enforcement purpose. The unauthorized actions resulted in criminal charges and administrative action in accordance with agency policy. All three deputies have since been terminated from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
This investigation is still ongoing, and no further details will be provided at this time.
