Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis police sergeant accused of using AirTag to track, harass coworker, charges say
MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis police sergeant is accused of illegally accessing a law enforcement database and then using an AirTag to track and harass a former romantic partner, who is also a coworker.
Gordon Blackey, 59, was charged in Anoka County with four misdemeanors, including harassment, unauthorized use of a tracking device and two counts of unauthorized acquisition of non-public data.
The charges state that Blackey and a fellow Minneapolis police sergeant had a brief romantic relationship last year. Since the breakup, the two had maintained a professional and friendly relationship. Then in March, the woman found an Apple AirTag in the wheel well of her car, which was linked to Blackey’s cell phone, according to the charges.
She confronted him, charges say, and Blackey said he put the AirTag in the car because he “cared about her.”
On April 30, Blackey invited her out for a drink, but she declined. Later that night while out with friends at a restaurant, she noticed Blackey sitting inside the restaurant too, which concerned her, documents say.
She reported the incidents to Minneapolis police and the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office on May 7, expressing concern for her privacy and safety.
An Anoka County Sheriff’s Office investigation revealed that no court order authorized Blackey to place the AirTag in the woman’s car, the charges say.
The investigation also showed that Blackey had accessed the database for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and taken a photo of license plate numbers. The numbers were tied to the woman’s father and coworker, charges say, and Blackey had no law enforcement purpose for looking up their information.
In an interview with an Anoka County Sheriff’s Office detective, Blackey admitted to placing the AirTag in the woman’s car and accessing private information using BCA records without legitimate law enforcement purpose, charges say.
“I am, of course, very concerned about the charges, but I’ll refrain from commenting further to maintain the integrity of the criminal legal process,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
Blackey is currently employed with the City of Minneapolis.
Minneapolis leaders are divided over whether to keep paying for ShotSpotter as the city weighs a new contract for the gunfire detection system.
A public hearing at City Hall focused on the technology as Minneapolis negotiates a new contract with SoundThinking, the company that provides ShotSpotter. Deputy Chief of Investigations Travis Riddle told the council the system supports gun violence strategies and can alert police no later than 60 seconds after shots are fired.
Critics at the hearing said the technology is not proven enough and argued the money could be spent in other ways. The proposed deal would cost $3.7 million through 2029 and would expand ShotSpotter into new areas of Minneapolis.
“We have actually had a contract with SoundThinking for their ShotSpotter services since 2014, and even with this technology for over 12 years now, MPD’s solve rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings were some of the worst in the country,” Council member Robin Wonsley said.
Council members pushed back on the long-term proposal and said they want a one-year deal instead. Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw disagreed with concerns raised by her colleague during the debate.
“In my opinion, and in folks I’ve heard from the North Side who have shown up here time and time again to say that we want this technology, we believe that ShotSpotter is a tool that the police use to save lives,” LaTrisha Vetaw said
City Council is set to take up the issue again on June 17. Minneapolis police are expected to return with a one-year contract instead of the three-year contract brought forward at the hearing.
Premiere vocal ensemble, Cantus is bringing the songs of Dolly Parton to the stage with fresh interpretations. The show will cover her classics like “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Cantus Presents, COVERS: Dolly & Friends runs through June 7th at the Luminary Arts Center at 700 N 1st St. in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis police are investigating a hit-and-run that left a man seriously injured Tuesday afternoon.
The crash happened near Oliver Avenue North and Lowry Avenue North just before 2 p.m., according to the Minneapolis Police Department.
Investigators say an SUV struck another vehicle, which then collided with a motorcyclist. The driver of the SUV then fled the scene.
The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries. Police say the driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
No arrests have been made as of Tuesday night.
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