A Sumter County Sheriff’s Office detective has been fired and arrested for improperly accessing law enforcement databases for personal reasons, prompting the agency to suspend its use of Flock cameras while a department-wide audit is conducted. The incident involves Brandy Almany, who allegedly bypassed established procedures to access restricted systems, including the Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) network, to gather information about her husband’s ex-wife.
Internal Audit Reveals Unauthorized Access
Sheriff Patrick Breeden announced that the investigation began on July 23 after an internal audit uncovered what the agency described as "improper and unlawful" use of several restricted law enforcement databases. The irregular activity was traced to Almany, who had been employed with the agency since 2019. Investigators state she accessed the Comprehensive Case Information System (CCIS), the Florida Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID), and the Flock ALPR system.
According to the sheriff’s office, these searches were conducted solely for personal purposes unrelated to any legitimate criminal justice function. To conceal this activity, Almany is accused of using unrelated case numbers and fabricating investigative justifications to make the database activity appear legitimate. Following an internal interview, she was immediately suspended while the investigation was presented to the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Criminal Charges and System Suspension
An arrest warrant has been issued charging Almany with one count of official misconduct and three counts of offenses against computer users. The charges allege that she knowingly exceeded her authorized access to sheriff's office computer systems, the DAVID database, and the CCIS database to obtain confidential information for personal reasons.
In response to these allegations, Sheriff Breeden has ordered a suspension of the agency’s use of Flock cameras. This pause is intended to facilitate a comprehensive department-wide audit to ensure no other unauthorized access occurred. The decision highlights the significant trust required when law enforcement agencies utilize automated license plate reader systems to recover stolen vehicles and track suspects.
Community Reaction and Accountability
Sheriff Patrick Breeden described the arrest as one of the most difficult actions he has taken during his tenure, stating, "As your Sheriff, I've promised accountability and transparency. Today, I had to arrest one of my own for misuse of multiple law enforcement databases." The public response has largely praised Breeden’s decision to publicly announce the arrest rather than handling the matter quietly.
Commenters have viewed the sheriff's actions as a sign of strong leadership, with remarks emphasizing that trust remains when officers are held accountable. Many noted that abuse of police databases should never be excused simply because the suspect wears a badge. The incident serves as a reminder to law enforcement families about the high standards required and the severe consequences of misusing official access.
