Another Georgia law enforcement officer has been arrested over the alleged misuse of Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader system, adding to a growing list of cases uncovered through internal audits and criminal investigations across the state.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that former Sgt. Kabiru Salawu was arrested after an internal investigation found he had made unauthorized use of the agency’s Flock Safety technology. 

Salawu is charged with felony violation of oath of office and misdemeanor misuse of license plate data. The sheriff’s office said he has been fired and is being held without bond at the DeKalb County Jail. 

The agency has not said how investigators discovered the alleged misuse or what information Salawu is accused of accessing.

“The public expects and deserves integrity from every member of this agency,” Sheriff Melody Maddox said in a statement. “The misuse of law enforcement technology or confidential information for any unauthorized purpose is a serious breach of the public’s trust and will not be tolerated. When misconduct is identified, we act swiftly, hold those responsible accountable, and remain committed to the highest ethical standards.” 

Salawu had worked for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office since Aug. 24, 2009, according to the agency. Officials said the criminal investigation remains active and declined to release additional details.

A growing pattern across Georgia

Salawu’s arrest is the latest in a string of Georgia cases in which officers have been accused of using automated license plate reader databases for purposes unrelated to law enforcement.

In recent months, CBS News Atlanta has been reporting on several investigations tied to Flock Safety technology:

• Cherokee County: Three sheriff’s employees — including a lieutenant and sergeant — were arrested after investigators alleged they improperly searched the county’s license plate reader database.
• Albany: Five former Albany police officers were arrested after a Georgia Bureau of Investigation probe found they allegedly used Flock data for unauthorized purposes following an internal audit.
• Greene County: A sheriff’s deputy was arrested and fired after investigators said an audit showed she used the Flock system for personal reasons.
• Fayetteville: Three police officers were fired this week after investigators said they searched license plates belonging to themselves, family members and acquaintances without a legitimate law enforcement purpose. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is reviewing that case, though no criminal charges have been announced.

Recent cases have highlighted the increasing role internal audits play in policing access to automated license plate reader systems. 

The technology, used by hundreds of agencies nationwide, is designed to help investigators locate stolen vehicles, find suspects and identify vehicles connected to crimes. Because the systems can reveal where vehicles have traveled, state law limits access to legitimate law enforcement purposes.

The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office said Salawu’s arrest stemmed from one of those internal reviews, underscoring how agencies are increasingly monitoring officer searches for potential abuse. 

As of Friday, at least 10 Georgia officers have been arrested in recent weeks over alleged misuse of automated license plate reader systems, while three additional Fayetteville officers have been fired and remain under investigation.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said no further information will be released while the investigation is ongoing. 

Saturday was a massive day for Georgia as they earned one of their biggest commitments of the 2027 recruiting cycle. The Bulldogs however were also dealt some terrible news as well.

A new injury rumor is taking over social media and former Georgia legend Stetson Bennett was crazily disrespected as well. But let’s start with the good news first and give it the flowers it deserves before diving into what could end up being a season-altering injury for Georgia.

4-star safety Adryan Cole commits to Georgia

Heading into Friday the Bulldogs had zero defensive backs committed to their 2027 recruiting class. That however changed in a big way as four-star safety Adryan Cole announced his commitment to Georgia on Saturday over LSU, Florida and Ole Miss.

The Peach State safety is the No. 166 overall player in the country and the No. 15 player from the state of Georgia. Based on his ranking alone it’s clear that this commitment is a big deal, but the fact that Georgia finally has a defensive back commit is why his commitment mattered so much.

Georgia still has a lot of work to do to improve their recruiting class, but they now have the No. 12 class in the country and are trending in the right direction.

Transfer RB Dante Dowdell rumored to have suffered a season ending injury

Georgia already lost one transfer for the season when Auburn transfer linebacker Amaris Williams tore his ACL during spring ball. Unfortunately rumors are swirling that another transfer could be out for the season as well.

Kentucky transfer running back Dante Dowdell is rumored to have suffered a pretty serious injury caused by an ATV accident. Nothing specifically has come out about this injury yet, but rumors are saying he could be done for the season.

It’s important to note that right now nothing has been 100 percent confirmed. On3 insiders did hint at a major injury occurring though and some fans online have pieced together that it could be Dowdell. It’s impossible to say for sure that anything has happened, but Georgia fans will soon get confirmation about these rumors likely at SEC Media Days on Tuesday.

Stetson Bennett deemed “expendable” but clueless reporter

Stetson Bennett’s NFL career hit a major roadblock when the LA Rams drafted former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. This showed that the Rams don’t fully trust Bennett, but they did say he has a chance to compete against and beat out Simpson to be their backup quarterback this year.

So far reports have indicated that Bennett is leading that competition, but one reporter has no faith in Bennett. In fact, he went as far as to say that he is “expendable.”

Bennett does face an uphill battle if he is going to make it in LA. The Rams clearly think that Simpson is their guy or else they wouldn’t have used a first round pick on him. On top of that, Bennett’s contract expires after this season as well.

Throughout Bennett’s career though he has proven everyone wrong, and if he was given the chance he’d likely do the same in LA. So to say that he is expendable is absolutely insane and disrespectful to one of the better college quarterbacks of this decade.

All he needs is one chance, and hopefully the Rams will finally give him that this year.

THOMASTON, Ga. – A historic World War II-era aircraft made an emergency landing on a Georgia highway south of Thomaston on Friday after experiencing mechanical problems during a cross-country flight. 

Upson County emergency landing

What we know:

A vintage Vultee BT-13A Valiant aircraft landed on Highway 19 south near John B. Gordon Road just after 1 p.m. Friday, according to the Upson County Sheriff’s Office. The plane was traveling from Punta Gorda, Florida to a vintage airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin when mechanical problems forced it down approximately 5 1/2 miles south of Thomaston. 

There were no injuries reported on the scene. Deputies quickly pushed the aircraft out of the roadway, and an Atlanta air recovery crew later used a crane to load it onto a trailer for transport to a Taylor County airport for repairs. 

Vintage aircraft investigation

What we don’t know:

Officials have not yet confirmed the exact nature of the mechanical failure that forced the pilot to land on the busy highway. The sheriff’s office has also not released the identities or total number of occupants who were inside the plane during the emergency landing. 

Historic wartime trainer

The backstory:

The Vultee BT-13A Valiant served as a vital bridge to the skies for thousands of American military pilots during World War II. Wartime flight schools relied heavily on the all-metal monoplane to teach cadets complex maneuvers, navigation and instrument flying. 

Cadets transitioned to this heavier, more powerful plane after completing simple primary training in fabric-and-wood biplanes. Powered by a 450-horsepower Pratt & Whitney radial engine, its intense cockpit vibrations earned it the famous nickname, the “Vultee Vibrator.” 

Valiant aviation data

By the numbers:

• 11,538: The total number of Valiant aircraft produced across all variants during World War II. 
• 7,397: The exact number of specific BT-13A models built before production ended in 1944. 
• 40: The estimated number of airworthy BT-13A trainers that still remain in flying condition.