HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A second Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputy has been fired and arrested after an internal audit found he allegedly accessed license plate data for personal purposes, according to the sheriff’s office.

Former Deputy Jonathan Thomas is accused of accessing the agency’s Flock camera system and using retained license plate information for a non-law enforcement purpose.

According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation determined the alleged misuse involved an individual with whom Thomas had a personal relationship at the time.

Thomas was terminated following the discovery and subsequently arrested. He was booked into the Habersham County Detention Center on charges of felony violation of oath of office and misdemeanor misuse of license plate data.

Thomas had been employed by the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office since Dec. 2, 2024.

The arrest marks the second involving a deputy identified through the sheriff’s office’s ongoing audit of its Flock system.

Sheriff Robin Krockum said the agency will continue reviewing use of the system and holding employees accountable for unauthorized access.

“As we continue to conduct our audit into the use of our Flock system, we have discovered a second deputy who accessed Flock outside of its intended law enforcement purpose,” Krockum said.

The sheriff’s office has also strengthened its policy governing searches of license plate data. Under the new procedures, deputies seeking information on a specific license plate must receive supervisor approval, have a documented case number and contact the dispatch center by radio to log the search.

According to Krockum, the changes will reduce the number of authorized users able to enter and search specific license plates from 39 to 23 supervisors.

“We will continue to be transparent to the public in the way we conduct ourselves and hold those responsible who violate their trust,” Krockum said.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Once completed, the case file will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.