News & Updates / Press Releases
Houston County Sheriff’s Office Announces Findings of Flock Safety Internal Audit
Original release: August 17, 2026
Added to the website archive: September 12, 2026
Archived official release. The statement below is reproduced from the release issued by HCSO on August 17, 2026. It describes the agency’s findings and actions at that time, not the current status or outcome of a court case. A separate note about subsequent reporting follows the original release.
As part of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of law enforcement technology, an internal audit of our use of Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) data was conducted.
As a result of that audit, it was determined that Deputy Sierra Carroll misused ALPR data provided by Flock Safety. On Monday, August 17, 2026, Deputy Carroll was suspended without pay pending termination. The matter has also been referred to the District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.
Deputy Carroll was hired by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office on April 28, 2025, and was assigned to the School Resource Unit as a School Resource Officer.
The public places an incredible amount of trust in the men and women of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, and I will never take that trust for granted. The misuse of law enforcement resources or technology will not be tolerated. I continue to support the responsible use of Flock Safety technology as a valuable public safety and investigative tool, but with that technology comes a responsibility to use it lawfully and appropriately. When a deputy violates that trust, I will take immediate action and hold them accountable.
Sheriff Matt Moulton
Houston County Sheriff’s Office
Subsequent Reporting
Archive note added September 12, 2026 — not part of the original release: An August 28 USA TODAY report stated that Carroll was arrested two days after the August 17 suspension on charges of misusing a license plate reader system. This is attributed outside reporting, not an additional HCSO press release. An arrest or charge is not a finding of guilt, and no court outcome is stated here.
Original source: HCSO media release distributed August 17, 2026. Official Facebook release.