Former Milwaukee officer pleads guilty to tracking case involving license plate searches

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A former Milwaukee police officer has pleaded guilty after prosecutors said he used police technology to repeatedly track two people, including a romantic partner and that person’s ex, through license plate data searches.

Josue Ayala pleaded guilty to attempted misconduct in public office following negotiations with prosecutors.

Josue Ayala MPD

“You can enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, do you understand those options?” a judge asked in court.

“Yes ma’am,” Ayala said.

“How do you wish to plead?”

“Guilty,” he said.

Court documents say Ayala used Milwaukee Police Flock cameras to search two license plates nearly 200 times over a three-month period. Investigators said one of the individuals was his romantic partner and the other was that person’s ex.

Flock cameras use artificial intelligence to read license plates and can identify vehicles and track where they have been spotted.

Prosecutors said Ayala resigned from the Milwaukee Police Department as part of the agreement.

“Attorney Steinle and I reached the negotiations required for Mr. Ayala to resign from the Milwaukee Police Department in advance of the charges being issued, he did do that,” a prosecutor said.

Ayala could face a fine of up to $10,000, up to nine months in jail, or both. The plea deal includes a sentencing recommendation from the state.

“The state also agreed that at sentencing we would recommend a fine in exchange for the defendant’s guilty plea,” a prosecutor said.

Milwaukee police said the case has prompted changes to how they audit Flock camera searches. The department said reviews are now conducted monthly to look for unusual activity and possible misuse.

Ayala declined to comment as he left the courtroom.

He is scheduled to be sentenced July 13.