19.08.2026 19:50
In the US state of Florida, a police officer was found to have tracked his estranged wife's car hundreds of times through automatic license plate recognition cameras. Christopher Goodson was determined to have queried his ex-wife's vehicle 717 times over approximately 21 months, and the police officer was arrested.
A police officer in the U.S. state of Florida has been found to have tracked his ex-wife's vehicle hundreds of times through automatic license plate recognition cameras. Christopher Anthony Goodson, 31, who works for the Haines City Police Department, was determined to have queried his ex-wife's car 717 times through the Flock camera system. Goodson was arrested and faces two separate charges.
TRACKED EX-WIFE THROUGH CAMERAS
The incident came to light through an investigation launched after the Haines City Police Department suspected Goodson of using the Flock camera system for personal purposes.
According to court records, Goodson entered his ex-wife's license plate information into the system 717 times between September 1, 2024, and June 30, 2026. It was determined that some of the queries were made while on duty, and some while off duty.
ENTERED FALSE REASONS FOR SEARCHES
As part of the investigation, it was found that Goodson used different reasons such as traffic violations, drugs, theft, assault, and road rage in his searches of the system.
However, police determined that his ex-wife was not involved in any criminal investigation and that her vehicle was not linked to any crime.
It emerged that one of the most intense tracking periods was September 2025. It was recorded that Goodson queried his ex-wife's vehicle 280 times in that month alone. He made 86 queries in August, 72 in October, 104 in November, and 68 in December.
SAID 'I WAS TRACKING MY CHILDREN'
During the investigation, Goodson told his supervisor that he used the Flock system to track the location of his children who were with his ex-wife.
However, officials determined that his ex-wife had no connection to any criminal investigation. It was also reported that Goodson accessed the system through the police department's computers and mobile phones.
ARRESTED AND PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE
Goodson was arrested on August 11. He faces one charge under crimes related to computer systems and electronic devices, and one charge of official misconduct. After his arrest, the police officer was placed on paid administrative leave.
Haines City Police Chief Isaac Jackson stated that the use of law enforcement systems for personal purposes would not be tolerated. It was reported that the department will take additional oversight measures to ensure that similar systems are used only for legal purposes.