Sharonville Police Lt. Walter Cordes has resigned after a felony indictment for allegedly misusing the department's Flock license-plate reader system.

Cordes submitted his resignation Oct. 15, Fox 19 reported. An administrative assistant to Sharonville Police Chief Jim Nesbit confirmed the departure to Local 12.

"I have great respect for the police department and the work that they do, and I regret that my poor choices have brought shame or embarrassment to its members," Cordes wrote in his resignation letter, according to Fox 19.

Cordes, 48, had worked at the Sharonville Police Department more than 18 years, joining full-time in August 2008 after completing Great Oaks Police Academy, according to state records cited by Fox 19.

As we reported Oct. 15, a grand jury indicted Cordes on Oct. 13 on one count of unauthorized use of a computer, cable or telecommunication property. The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office alleged he searched the Flock camera system 29 times between Dec. 19, 2024, and April 20, 2026, to track someone he knew for personal reasons unrelated to law enforcement. Investigators did not identify the person or explain why Cordes was tracking them.

The alleged misuse came to light in June when Cordes self-reported during a department audit of the system, according to the prosecutor's office. He admitted to conducting the searches. The department placed him on administrative leave, shut off his access to all systems and referred the case to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office for investigation.

Sharonville Mayor Kevin Hardman switched Cordes to unpaid leave at an Oct. 13 city council meeting, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Surrender and not-guilty plea

Cordes surrendered with his attorney, Stew Mathews, on Oct. 16 at the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office inside the county courthouse, Mathews told Fox 19. He was booked into the county jail for fingerprints and a mug shot.

Mathews entered a written not-guilty plea on Cordes' behalf. Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Chief Magistrate Tom Beridon set bond at $1,000 with a 10 percent deposit. A relative posted the required $100 for his release.

Mathews declined to comment on the accusations, telling Fox 19 he was recently hired and still reviewing the case.

The charge is a fifth-degree felony carrying up to one year in prison. The case was assigned Oct. 16 to Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Patrick Dinkelacker. A disposition scheduling conference is set for Oct. 27 at 9 a.m.

Department response

When the indictment was announced Oct. 13, Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich told the Enquirer, "I have never seen anyone charged with this before … A police officer wrongfully using police systems is a big story."

Nesbit said the department plans to require additional training for every officer on the use of law enforcement databases and technology, according to Fox 19. Sharonville will continue using its Flock cameras.

The Cordes case is the second recent Flock-related issue in Sharonville. Officer Zach Jones was disciplined in May for failing to properly document legitimate Flock searches. He received a letter of counseling after repeatedly entering a single letter in the dialogue box meant to explain his queries, according to internal affairs records obtained by the Enquirer. Jones was not charged with a crime.

Residents with information about misuse of law enforcement technology can contact the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office at 513-946-3000.