A Sharonville police lieutenant allegedly used the city's license-plate-reader cameras 29 times to track someone he knew. The alleged misuse surfaced when Cordes self-reported during a department audit.
Lt. Walter Cordes, 48, was indicted Oct. 13 on one count of unauthorized use of a computer, cable or telecommunication property, a fifth-degree felony carrying up to 12 months in prison. The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office said Cordes searched the Flock camera system between Dec. 19, 2024, and April 20, 2026, to track a person's whereabouts "for personal reasons unrelated to law enforcement."
The misuse surfaced in June during a department audit of the system. Sharonville Police Chief Jim Nesbit told Local 12 that new Flock features had made auditing easier and that he decided this spring to review policies and employee usage amid rising public pressure nationwide. The audit turned up other improper use beyond Cordes' searches.
"We found that some use was not appropriate, and we addressed that," Nesbit said. "Through that process, Lt. Cordes came forward to share that he too had misused the system, and that's what led to the investigation."
Once Cordes admitted to the searches, the department placed him on administrative leave and shut off his access to all systems, Nesbit said. The case was referred to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office in June for an independent investigation. A grand jury returned the indictment on Oct. 13.
Cordes surrendered Oct. 14 at the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office with his attorney, Stew Mathews, FOX19 reported. Mathews entered a written not-guilty plea on Cordes' behalf.
Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Chief Magistrate Tom Beridon approved bond at $1,000 at 10 percent after the defense and prosecutors agreed on the amount. A relative posted the $100 bond. FOX19 reports a disposition scheduling conference on Oct. 27 at 9 a.m. before Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Patrick Dinkelacker.
Mathews declined to comment on the accusations, telling FOX19 he was recently hired and still reviewing the case.
Mayor Kevin Hardman said at the Oct. 13 Sharonville City Council meeting that Cordes has been moved from paid to unpaid administrative leave, according to Local 12. The city's internal investigation is reopening now that the sheriff's probe is complete.
Hardman defended the city's 24 Flock cameras at the same meeting. Sharonville police said they plan to require additional training for every officer on the use of law enforcement databases and technology.
The indictment lands as several Greater Cincinnati jurisdictions have pulled back from Flock. The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office officially ended its Flock program after suspending the cameras Sept. 3, citing residents' concerns about data sharing and local control, WCPO reported. Fort Thomas and Newport also dropped their Flock programs earlier in 2026.
Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said Cordes is the first law enforcement official her office has charged with misusing the technology since she took office, according to Fortune. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 74 said it stands with the department's policies on misuse while supporting Cordes' right to due process.
Prosecutors have not identified the person Cordes allegedly tracked or said why he searched for them. Cordes began working full-time at the Sharonville Police Department in August 2008 after completing Great Oaks Police Academy, state records show.
Residents with information about misuse of law enforcement technology can contact the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office or the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
