The countywide suspension is part of an expanded review of how employees access sensitive law enforcement information.
WILDWOOD, Fla. — The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has suspended its use of Flock license plate-reading technology and ordered a wider audit after investigators accused a detective of accessing sensitive databases for personal reasons.
Sheriff Patrick Breeden announced the pause after the arrest of Detective Brandy Almany, who was also removed from her job. The agency said an initial audit identified irregular activity involving Flock and two other information systems. Officials are now reviewing database use beyond the searches that led to Almany’s arrest.
Flock’s automated license plate recognition system allows participating law enforcement agencies to search records created when cameras capture vehicle license plates. Breeden said he continues to view such systems as useful investigative tools but suspended the agency’s access because of the allegations uncovered by the audit.
The sheriff’s office alleges Almany used the Flock system, the Comprehensive Case Information System and the state’s Driver and Vehicle Information Database to seek information connected to her husband’s ex-wife. Investigators said the searches had no legitimate criminal justice purpose.
Officials further allege Almany tried to make the activity appear official by creating false electronic records. According to the sheriff’s office, she used unrelated case numbers and entered false reasons indicating that her searches were connected to active or valid investigations.
The investigation began July 23, when an internal audit detected what the sheriff’s office called improper and unlawful use of its databases. Almany, who joined the agency in 2019, was interviewed and immediately suspended. The case was then sent to the Office of the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
After prosecutors reviewed the investigation, authorities obtained an arrest warrant charging Almany with one count of official misconduct and three counts of offenses against computer users. The computer charges involve alleged unauthorized access to sheriff’s office systems, the driver database and the case information system. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Breeden said he ordered a complete internal audit of database activity rather than limiting the review to Almany’s account. The agency has not said how many employees, searches or time periods will be examined. It also has not announced what conditions must be met before Flock access can resume.
The suspension creates an immediate operational consequence from the case while officials examine whether existing controls were enough to prevent or detect misuse. The sheriff’s office has not reported that information obtained through the alleged searches was used in an arrest, prosecution or other official action.
Breeden framed the expanded review as an accountability measure and said behavior that falls below the agency’s professional and ethical standards would not be tolerated. The sheriff’s office said Almany was informed of her pending termination after her arrest.
Additional audits involving the separate database systems remain underway. Officials said the results could produce more charges, but no further allegations had been announced as of Friday. The agency also had not released a timetable for completing the reviews or restoring access to the Flock network.
Author note: Last updated July 24, 2026.