Florida Trooper Busted After Leaking Confidential Data Through Snapchat and Texts To 'Mock' People

A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper has been arrested after allegedly accessing confidential law enforcement databases and sharing drivers' personal information through text messages and Snapchat, according to an investigative affidavit obtained by CBS 12.

The trooper, identified as Alain Fernandez, allegedly accessed and disclosed confidential criminal justice information at least 22 times between 2022 and 2025, while working on Florida's Treasure Coast, according to court documents reported by CBS 12 and WPBF.

The information allegedly included driver's licence photographs, addresses, vehicle details and other identifying data. Investigators said Fernandez used restricted systems including the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC), the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Florida's Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID).

The FCIC provides authorised law enforcement users with access to Florida criminal history and other records, while DAVID provides driver and motor vehicle information to officials.

Investigators said Fernandez's alleged use of the information was not connected to legitimate police work, and only for parody and mocking people.

Investigation Began After Alabama Arrest

The FDLE investigation began in September 2025 after police in Alabama arrested a man accused of impersonating a police officer. Authorities reportedly found police-related equipment in the man's vehicle, including radios, emergency lights and sirens.

Investigators subsequently examined his communications with Fernandez and allegedly found instances in which the trooper supplied confidential information. In one exchange, the impersonation suspect reportedly asked Fernandez to run a driver's licence. Fernandez allegedly searched the information through NCIC and sent a screenshot of the results to the man.

The affidavit also describes an alleged incident involving Flock, a network of automated licence plate readers. Fernandez reportedly searched for a vehicle through the system and warned another man that names and addresses connected to the vehicle had been 'hot listed'.

Flock cameras automatically capture vehicle and licence plate information and can provide law enforcement with alerts linked to investigations, stolen vehicles or wanted people.

At least two alleged exchanges took place through Snapchat. In one, Fernandez allegedly sent an image containing a person's address, vehicle information and driver's licence details after being asked for information about that individual.

Investigators Allege Knowing Misuse of Access

According to the affidavit, investigators concluded that Fernandez was not attempting to obstruct a criminal investigation. Instead, they alleged that he knowingly misused access granted to him as a law enforcement officer, primarily to parody or mock people whose information he retrieved.

The case comes as Florida faces renewed scrutiny over the use and handling of automated licence plate-reader data. In August, the Florida Department of Transportation ordered law enforcement agencies to remove licence plate readers from state highway rights-of-way, citing concerns about misuse, privacy and surveillance. Agencies were given until 30 September to comply.

Fernandez was arrested on 9 September and was later released on bond, according to WPBF. The Florida Highway Patrol had not provided a response on his employment status when the station published its report.

The FDLE affidavit states investigators sought an arrest warrant for unauthorised use of a computer system. Under Florida law, knowingly accessing a computer system without authorisation, or exceeding authorised access, can constitute a third-degree felony.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and Fernandez is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.