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A Clermont County grand jury declined to indict a man accused of destroying a Flock automatic license plate reader (ALPR) in Union Township, Ohio, resulting in all felony charges being dropped.
Police arrested Cody Morelock after an incident on Mount Carmel-Tobasco Road on June 13, when he allegedly removed bolts securing the ALPR pole, causing the camera, its solar panel, and the pole itself to crash to the ground. The camera, leased by the Union Township Police Department, sustained damages estimated at more than $1,000, which met Ohio’s threshold for felony vandalism charges. Investigators said they identified Morelock by reviewing surveillance footage from several nearby cameras, as well as using transaction data connected to a rewards account and photos from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Police relied in part on footage from other Flock cameras to identify the suspect.
Despite what prosecutors described as strong evidence—surveillance from multiple cameras and digital transaction records—the grand jury voted not to bring felony charges against Morelock.
The Flock ALPR system, which captures and stores vehicle license plate data for 30 days, has faced growing scrutiny and backlash across the United States. Debates about privacy and government surveillance have led some cities to cover or remove their Flock cameras and have prompted contentious council hearings.
Although the grand jury rejected felony charges, legal experts say that lesser charges could still be filed against Morelock. The case highlights ongoing questions about surveillance technology, privacy, and public sentiment toward law enforcement tools in Ohio.