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A Virginia-based US Air Force engineer has become a focal point in the growing debate over expansive surveillance technology after authorities charged him with destroying multiple Flock Safety cameras.
Jeffrey Sovern, 41, of Suffolk, Virginia, stands accused of intentionally targeting more than a dozen AI-powered license plate reader systems operated by Flock Safety in North Suffolk between April and October 2025.
Prosecutors say the actions involved sawing down or dismantling the cameras, with some reportedly thrown from overpasses along Interstate 664, where they shattered. Investigators recovered components, including solar panels, batteries, and wiring, during a search of his property.
Sovern, who worked as an engineer and mechanic, allegedly used tools such as vice grips to disassemble the two-piece poles supporting the cameras. He faces 13 counts of felony destruction of property, six counts of petit larceny, and six counts of possession of burglary tools. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Authorities linked Sovern to the incidents through a combination of evidence, including footage from a separate traffic monitoring camera. When questioned, he reportedly told investigators that the Flock systems were “unconstitutional and a violation of his and others’ Fourth Amendment rights,” arguing they contribute to an overreaching surveillance apparatus that tracks vehicles and builds searchable databases accessible to law enforcement.
Flock Safety cameras use artificial intelligence to capture license plates, vehicle details, and other information, often retaining data for extended periods. Critics nationwide have raised privacy concerns about the technology’s proliferation in communities, with some localities pushing back against its deployment.
In response to mounting legal costs and public attention, Sovern launched a GoFundMe campaign for his defense. The effort has garnered thousands of dollars in donations from supporters across the country. On the page, he addressed the outpouring directly: “There has been community support for me that I humbly welcome.”
He further noted the personal toll, stating that the situation has negatively impacted his and his support system’s mental health, while expressing appreciation for the growing awareness sparked by local news coverage.
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