A former Georgiapolice sergeant has been arrested after an investigationinto allegations that he improperly accessed a license plate reader system for non-law enforcementpurposes.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigationannounced Monday, Oct. 19, that it arrested and charged former Vidalia Police Department Sgt. Santonio Wilcher, 37, of Lyons.
Wilcher faces two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system and one count of violation of oath of office, according to the GBI.
What the GBI says happened
The investigation began after the Vidalia Police Department requested GBI assistance on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The request followed an internal audit of the department's Flock Safety System, according to the GBI.
Preliminary information indicates Wilcher accessed the Flock system on multiple
occasions for purposes unrelated to law enforcement, the GBI said.
The agency did not provide additional details about what information Wilcher allegedly accessed or how the system was allegedly used.
Wilcher is no longer employed by the Vidalia Police Department.
Former sergeant booked into Toombs County Jail
Wilcher was booked into the Toombs County Jail following his arrest.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, according to the GBI.
The agency said that once the investigation is complete, the case file will be turned over to the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office for review.
GBI asking for information
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Eastman at 478-374-6988.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), through the GBI's online tip system or through the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
The allegations against Wilcher are part of an ongoing investigation. The charges are accusations, and the case will be reviewed by the district attorney's office after the GBI completes its investigation.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Former Georgia police sergeant arrested, jailed for Flock camera misuse
