A Florida sheriff says one of his own detectives has been arrested and fired after an internal audit uncovered the alleged misuse of multiple law enforcement databases. The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office says the detective used official systems to gather information for personal reasons rather than legitimate investigations.
According to Sheriff Pat Breeden in a Facebook post, the investigation began on July 23 after an internal audit identified irregular activity involving Detective Brandy Almany, who had been employed by the agency since 2019. The sheriff said the findings were inconsistent with the department’s standards of professionalism and integrity.
Investigators allege Almany improperly accessed several law enforcement databases to monitor her husband’s ex-wife. Authorities say she circumvented established procedures and falsely documented the searches as being connected to legitimate sheriff’s office investigations.
Following the investigation, Almany was immediately suspended, arrested, and notified of her termination. The sheriff also announced that the agency has suspended its use of Flock automated license plate reader technology while a broader internal audit of law enforcement databases is conducted.
Investigators Say Detective Falsified Records to Access Sensitive Information
Please give the video below just a second to load up completely.
According to the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, investigators determined Almany accessed multiple databases, including the Comprehensive Case Information System (CCIS), the Florida Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID), and Flock Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) systems.
Authorities allege she created official electronic records using unrelated case numbers and false investigative justifications to make the searches appear legitimate. Investigators say the searches were instead conducted for purely personal reasons involving her husband’s ex-wife.
The case was presented to the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit. After reviewing the investigation, prosecutors obtained an arrest warrant charging Almany with multiple felony offenses related to official misconduct and unauthorized computer access.
Detective Faces Multiple Felony Charges
Almany has been charged with one count of official misconduct for allegedly falsifying official electronic records to obtain a benefit for another person. She also faces three separate counts under Florida’s Offenses Against Computer Users statute for allegedly exceeding authorized access to sheriff’s office computer systems, the DAVID database, and the CCIS database for personal purposes unrelated to any criminal justice function.
The sheriff’s office said additional charges remain possible as audits of the agency’s various law enforcement databases continue. Sheriff Breeden also ordered a complete review of database access throughout the department following the discovery of the alleged misconduct.
While announcing the arrest, the sheriff emphasized that transparency and accountability remain priorities for the agency. He described the incident as deeply disappointing but said no employee would be exempt from consequences when their actions fail to meet the standards expected of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.
Community Praises Transparency While Raising Privacy Concerns
The sheriff’s announcement generated widespread support among commenters, who applauded the department for publicly addressing the misconduct rather than trying to keep it quiet. One commenter wrote that there are “bad people in every profession” and commended the sheriff for rooting out misconduct and being transparent with the public.
Others focused on the agency’s decision to suspend the use of Flock cameras following the incident. Several argued that the technology is too easy to abuse, with one commenter saying they hoped the cameras would remain offline permanently because of privacy concerns and the potential for future misuse.
Not everyone focused solely on the technology, however. Another commenter praised the sheriff’s leadership, saying true integrity means holding everyone to the same standard, while another reminded readers that law enforcement officers have no special right to access confidential databases for personal reasons and warned that doing so can ruin careers and result in criminal charges.