VIDALIA, Ga. — A former Vidalia Police Department sergeant has been arrested following an investigation into allegations that he improperly accessed a law enforcement license plate reader system.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Monday, October 19, that Santonio Wilcher, 37, of Lyons, was arrested and charged with two counts of Misuse of a License Plate Reader System and one count of Violation of Oath of Office.
According to the GBI, the investigation began after the Vidalia Police Department conducted an internal audit of its Flock Safety system. On October 14, the department requested GBI assistance in investigating allegations of employee misuse.
Investigators say preliminary findings indicate that Wilcher accessed the system on multiple occasions for purposes unrelated to law enforcement. The GBI confirmed that Wilcher is no longer employed by the Vidalia Police Department. He was booked into the Toombs County Jail.
Flock Safety is an automated license plate recognition system used by law enforcement agencies to assist with criminal investigations. Cameras capture images of passing vehicles, including license plate information and certain vehicle characteristics. The system also records when and where a vehicle was observed.
Investigators can use the information to identify vehicles associated with criminal investigations, locate stolen vehicles, or assist in searches for missing persons. Because the system contains information about vehicle movements, access is restricted to authorized purposes.
The GBI has not disclosed whose information Wilcher allegedly accessed, what prompted the searches, or whether any information was shared with others.
The GBI says the investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Eastman at 478-374-6988. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or through the GBI’s online tip portal.
Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be forwarded to the Middle Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.
The charges against Wilcher are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Source: Georgia Bureau of Investigation, October 19, 2026.
Official press release: https://gbi.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-10-19/gbi-arrests-former-vidalia-police-department-sergeant-misuse-license
