An Air Force engineer is accused of destroying more than a dozen surveillance cameras in Virginia. The case raises questions about the constitutionality of mass vehicle surveillance.
Jeffrey Sovern, 41, faces 13 felony counts of destruction of property, along with misdemeanor charges for theft and possession of burglary tools.
According to court records, he targeted Flock Safety cameras across Suffolk between April and October 2025.
Initially, Sovern allegedly rotated some cameras away from the roads. Later, he began cutting down entire installations.
In several instances, the cameras were thrown from an overpass onto Interstate 664.
Police say the investigation took an ironic turn when a traffic camera captured Sovern's pickup truck near a damaged installation.
Investigators later obtained a warrant to place a GPS tracker on the vehicle.
A search of his home allegedly uncovered components from several Flock camera systems, including solar panels.
Authorities testified that Sovern admitted dismantling the camera poles with vice grips, though he has not publicly accepted responsibility.
Instead, he frames the case as a constitutional issue.
During a police interview, Sovern described automated license plate readers as unconstitutional and a violation of Fourth Amendment protections.
On a fundraising page for his legal defense, he argued the systems create an unhealthy surveillance state and encouraged supporters to lobby local governments to remove them.
Sovern has pleaded not guilty. His case adds to a growing debate over surveillance cameras across the United States.
