Encryption Doesn't Stop Insider Threats
When the Real Danger is Inside the Department
Chicago Officer Allegedly Sold Access to Encrypted Police Radio
In January 2026, Chicago Police Officer Alain Dillon was charged with taking $500 payments to let others use his encrypted police radio.
"Members of law enforcement are rightfully held to a higher standard, making it especially egregious when an officer breaks the law for their own financial gain." — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul
The Devastating Irony
Encryption was sold to the public as a way to prevent unauthorized access to police communications. Instead, it created a monetizable asset that a corrupt officer could sell.
- Before encryption: Anyone could listen. No one would pay.
- After encryption: Access became exclusive and valuable to criminals.
- The result: Encryption didn't prevent unauthorized access—it just changed who profits from it.
The Pattern of Insider Abuse
40+ Documented Cases Across the United States and Beyond
Police departments claim encryption protects sensitive information. But case after case proves the real threat isn't outsiders with scanners—it's insiders with access.
Types of Insider Corruption
Selling Database Access
Employees sell access to NCIC, state databases, and law enforcement systems for cash.
Tipping Off Criminals
Dispatchers and employees warn targets about upcoming raids, investigations, and warrants.
Aiding Drug Operations
Officers actively assist drug trafficking organizations with intelligence and protection.
Aiding Extremist Groups
Law enforcement personnel leak information to extremist organizations and gangs.
Documented Cases
A Growing Record of Insider Corruption
| Name | Agency | Year | What Happened | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alain Dillon Featured | Chicago Police Department IL | 2023 | Took $500 payments to let others use his encrypted police radio | Charged Jan 2026: 3 counts bribery, 15 counts misconduct |
| Andrew Nguyen | NYPD NY | 2025 | Queried databases for drug dealers, offered to arrest rivals for payment, took $30K+ in bribes | Indicted |
| Amaury Abreu | NYPD (113th Precinct) NY | 2016-2020 | Leaked law enforcement info to international cocaine trafficking ring connected to Dominican Republic | 33 months prison |
| Marian Buonincontri | Calgary 911 (Alberta, Canada) 🇨🇦 | 2022-2023 | Fed police database info to rival gang members; 200+ screenshots of database searches found on phone | Pled guilty |
| Samantha Simpkins | Millville Police Department NJ | 2024-2025 | Accessed restricted data from police and judiciary databases, shared with unauthorized persons | Charged Feb 2026 |
| Kathy Anne Graham | Lavallette Police Department NJ | 2013 | Warned drug ring members (including her daughter) about impending raids | Arrested |
| Shane Lamond | DC Metropolitan Police DC | 2020-2023 | Leaked info to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, tipped him about arrest warrant | Convicted Dec 2024 |
| Noe Juarez | Houston Police Department TX | 2015 | Provided law enforcement info to Los Zetas cartel, ran plates, shared police tactics, supplied weapons | 30+ years prison |
| Destiny Allen | Mansfield Police Department LA | Recent | Sold NCIC and state database access for personal financial gain | Charged with malfeasance |
| Nathan Van Buren | Cumming Police Department GA | 2015 | Sold license plate lookups from NCIC for $5,000 | Conviction overturned (SCOTUS) |
| Stephen Greany | New Bedford Police Department MA | 1999 | Sold identity of undercover State Police trooper to cocaine dealer | Convicted |
| Derrick Thomas | Gardendale Police Department AL | 2011-2014 | Queried NCIC for non-law enforcement purposes, provided info to acquaintance | Pled guilty |
| Unnamed Dispatcher | Orange County Sheriff's Department CA | 2008 | Provided confidential info to white supremacist gang, solicited beatings of inmates | Indicted |
| Christopher Strang | Maricopa County Sheriff's Office AZ | 2008 | Tipped off gambling ring suspects about raids, gave list of 150 deputies involved | 43 counts hindering prosecution |
| Christopher Barr | Jacksonville Sheriff's Office FL | 2024 | Used protected databases to provide law enforcement info to criminals connected to gang activity | Resigned, charged with computer crimes |
| Patrick Driscoll | Salt Lake City (IT Employee) UT | 2021 | Accessed police databases to provide info about undercover operations to human trafficker | Charged with felony computer crimes |
| Leon Morrell | South Carolina Dept. of Corrections SC | 2024 | Accepted Cash App payments from inmates in exchange for security video and classified operational info | Charged: money laundering, obstruction, misconduct |
| Joseph Bongiovanni | DEA Federal | 2024 | Provided law enforcement sensitive info about investigations, informant identities, and tactics to drug traffickers | 5 years federal prison |
| Paul Campo | DEA (Deputy Chief, Financial Ops) Federal | 2025 | Conspired to traffic drugs and launder millions for Jalisco New Generation Cartel | Indicted Dec 2025 |
| Lamar Coody | Detroit Police Department MI | 2022 | Leaked information to drug dealer under investigation, jeopardizing investigation and officer safety | 12 months prison |
| Nune Gevorkyan | Federal Court Clerk's Office (Los Angeles) CA | 2013 | Accessed sealed court documents to tip off Armenian Power organized crime members before arrests | 6 months federal prison |
| Ivan Reyes Arzate | Mexican Federal Police (SIU Commander) 🇲🇽 | 2016 | Took $290K bribe to disclose pending DEA investigation to Sinaloa Cartel associates | Indicted in Brooklyn |
| Toronto Police Officers | Toronto Police Service (Ontario, Canada) 🇨🇦 | 2026 | Leaked database info to organized crime, data used for extortion and shootings in tow-truck turf wars | Multiple charges pending |
| Multiple Officers (514+ suspected leaks) | Swedish National Police (Sweden) 🇸🇪 | 2018-2024 | Gang members infiltrated police through relationships; 30+ officers leaked info on ongoing cases, witness locations | National scandal, investigation ongoing |
| Jorge J. Jimenez | U.S. Border Patrol (Arizona) AZ | 2024 | Took $20K per vehicle to let cartel drug loads pass through checkpoint without inspection | 78 months federal prison |
| Manuel Perez Jr. | Customs and Border Protection TX | 2023-2024 | Allegedly affiliated with La Línea/Juárez cartel; received $2,500 per undocumented person; may have received $400K | Held without bond, pending trial |
| Leonard George | Customs and Border Protection TX | 2022 | Took $17K-$68K per vehicle to let meth and drug-laden vehicles through border checkpoint | 23 years federal prison |
| Emanuel Isac Celedon | Customs and Border Protection (Laredo) TX | 2023 | Connected with Cartel del Noreste; smuggled aliens and cocaine through his inspection lane | 117 months federal prison |
| Milton Gaston & Bruce Williams | Washington & Humphreys County Sheriffs (MS) MS | 2025 | Two sheriffs + 12 officers took bribes to provide armed escorts for FBI agents posing as cartel | Federal indictments |
| Deputy Cox | Wayne County Sheriff's Office (NC) NC | 2018-2024 | Former narcotics head protected drug traffickers under guise they were informants; traded protection for pills | 6+ years federal prison |
| Kenneth Collins | Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department CA | 2024 | Used position to ensure drug loads were successfully transported for $250,000 | 17.5 years federal prison |
| Charles McGonigal | FBI (Former Counterintelligence Chief) Federal | 2023 | Leaked info about CEFC investigation and pending arrests; took money from Russian oligarch | Convicted, sentenced 2024 |
| David Paitsel | FBI (Strategic Technology Unit) Federal | 2023 | Used FBI database to sell personal info of private citizens to real estate scheme | 24 months federal prison |
| 14 TDCJ Officers | Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice (McConnell Unit) TX | 2024 | Racketeering enterprise smuggled phones, drugs; inmates used phones for criminal coordination | 7 pled guilty to racketeering |
| Michael O'Flaherty | NY State Police (VGNET) NY | 2024 | Investigator warned drug dealer of FBI investigation, told him to destroy evidence, tried to identify confidential informant | Arrested Nov 2024; facing 40+ years |
| Justin Riggs | Maryland State Police MD | 2023-2025 | 10-year veteran leaked investigation details to drug distributor including tracker info, informant existence; had $34K in maxed credit cards | 6 years federal prison (June 2025) |
| Jasmine Garcia | Arvin Police Department CA | 2025 | Property/Evidence Tech accessed homicide case files, leaked evidence photo; may have passed info to homicide suspect's sister | Arrested March 2025; $250K bail |
| Robin Conyers | St. Petersburg Police Department FL | 2024 | Charged with unlawful use of communication device and misuse of confidential police information | Charged June 2024 |
| Timothy Barnhardt | Toronto Police Service (Ontario, Canada) 🇨🇦 | 2026 | Leaked info about corrections officer to criminal network 'key figure' for purpose of murder; sparked Project South investigation | 17 charges; denied bail Feb 2026 |
| Lucy Langmead | South Wales Police (United Kingdom) 🇬🇧 | 2020-2022 | Repeatedly accessed secure databases for 21 months to leak intel on drug dealer boyfriend's criminal associates | Nearly 3 years prison (2025) |
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Many cases go unreported or are handled through internal discipline without public disclosure. The AP found over 325 employees disciplined in just a 3-year period—most of those cases never made headlines.
The AP Investigation: A Systemic Problem
325+ Disciplined in 3 Years—And That's Just What We Know
In 2016, the Associated Press conducted a nationwide investigation into police database misuse. What they found was staggering.
Fired, Suspended, or Resigned
Law enforcement officers and employees disciplined for database misuse between 2013-2015.
Lesser Discipline
Additional staff received reprimands, counseling, or other discipline.
Unknown Outcomes
Cases where discipline status was unclear or undisclosed.
Agencies Tracking Nationwide
No single agency tracks how often this abuse happens across the country.
State-Level Findings
"In the most egregious cases, officers have used information to stalk or harass, or have tampered with or sold records they obtained... Violations are committed by patrol officers, dispatchers, civilian employees, court personnel and high-ranking police officials." — Associated Press, 2016
A Global Problem
Insider Threats Know No Borders
Insider corruption isn't unique to the United States. Similar patterns emerge wherever law enforcement personnel have access to sensitive systems.
Sweden: 514+ Suspected Leaks
A 2024 investigation revealed gang members systematically infiltrated Swedish police through romantic relationships and family connections. At least 30 officers leaked information about ongoing investigations, witness locations, and pending operations.
Canada: Calgary & Toronto
A Calgary 911 operator fed database screenshots to rival gang members (200+ found on her phone). Toronto police officers leaked information used in tow-truck turf wars that led to shootings and extortion.
U.S. Border: Cartel Infiltration
CBP officers have taken bribes ranging from $2,500 per person to $68,000 per drug-laden vehicle. One officer was allegedly a full member of the Juárez cartel. The largest law enforcement agency in the country has been systematically targeted.
The Pattern is Universal
Whether it's Calgary 911 operators, Swedish police girlfriends, CBP officers at the border, or Chicago cops—criminals target insiders, not scanners. Radio encryption addresses none of this.
Why Encryption Makes This Worse
The Security Theater That Hides Real Threats
Insiders Have Access Regardless of Encryption
Encryption protects information from outsiders. But dispatchers, officers, and civilian employees are insiders. They have legitimate access to databases, radio systems, and confidential information. Encryption doesn't change that.
Before Encryption
- Public could monitor police activity
- Journalists could verify official accounts
- Citizens could document misconduct
- Corrupt insiders still had access
- Public oversight created accountability pressure
After Encryption
- Public cannot monitor police activity
- Journalists cannot verify official accounts
- Citizens cannot document misconduct
- Corrupt insiders still have access
- No public oversight = no accountability pressure
The Only Thing That Changed
Encryption didn't remove insider access. It removed public oversight. The people most likely to abuse the system still have full access. The people who could detect that abuse no longer can.
Encrypted Departments Can Hide These Scandals
When corruption occurs in an encrypted department:
- No public record: There's no scanner archive to review for suspicious patterns
- FOIA reveals nothing: Encrypted communications leave no trail the public can request
- Internal cover-ups easier: Without outside documentation, departments control the narrative
- Pattern detection impossible: The public can't identify when multiple incidents suggest systemic problems
What Actually Prevents Insider Threats
Real Security Measures—Not Radio Silence
If departments genuinely cared about preventing insider threats, they would implement these proven security measures—none of which require blocking public scanner access.
Comprehensive Audit Trails
Every database query should be logged with the querying officer's identity, timestamp, and stated purpose. Regular audits should flag suspicious patterns.
Independent Oversight
Civilian oversight boards with subpoena power should review database access patterns and investigate complaints about misuse.
Whistleblower Protections
Strong legal protections for employees who report colleague misconduct, including anonymous reporting channels and anti-retaliation measures.
Transparent Disciplinary Records
Public access to officer disciplinary histories so patterns of misconduct can be identified before they escalate to criminal activity.
Access Controls and Segmentation
Not every employee needs access to every system. Role-based access controls limit who can query what databases.
Background Reinvestigation
Periodic reinvestigation of employees with access to sensitive systems, not just one-time checks at hiring.
Notice What's Missing?
"Encrypt the radio" doesn't appear on any list of insider threat prevention best practices. That's because encryption addresses the wrong problem. It blocks the public, not corrupt employees.
Take Action for Transparency
Your voice matters. Here are concrete ways to advocate for open police communications in your community.
Contact Your Representatives
Use our templates to email your local officials about police radio encryption policies.
Get StartedRead Case Studies
See how encryption has affected real communities - from Highland Park to Chicago.
View CasesSpread Awareness
Share evidence about police radio encryption with your network and community.
Public Testimony
Learn how to speak effectively at city council and public safety meetings.
Prepare to SpeakWhat You Can Do
Request Database Audit Logs
File FOIA requests for database access audit reports. Ask how many queries were flagged for review and what the outcomes were.
Demand Internal Controls
At city council meetings, ask what controls exist to prevent database misuse. Push for independent audits of access patterns.
Support Whistleblower Protections
Advocate for strong legal protections for law enforcement employees who report misconduct by colleagues.
Oppose Encryption as Security Theater
When departments cite "security" for encryption, point to insider threat cases. Ask how encryption would have prevented any of them.
The Real Question
If a department truly cared about security, would it implement audit trails, oversight, and access controls? Or would it block public monitoring while leaving internal access unchanged?
Encryption is about control, not security. Don't let departments hide behind security theater while the real threats continue unchecked.
Sources
- CBS Chicago: Chicago police officer charged with taking bribes for using his encrypted radio
- DOJ: Former NYPD Officer Charged With Bribery, Narcotics, Firearms, And Robbery Offenses
- Police1: NYPD officer who helped Dominican Republic drug ring gets 33 months
- CBC: Calgary 911 operator accused of feeding police info to gang members
- Daily Voice: Millville Dispatcher Accessed Sensitive Data
- CBS New York: Police Dispatcher Caught In N.J. Drug Ring Bust (Graham case)
- CBS News: Ex-D.C. police officer convicted of lying about leaks to Proud Boys leader
- DEA: Former Houston Police Officer Sentenced To Over 30 Years (Juarez/Los Zetas case)
- WBRZ: Mansfield dispatcher arrested for selling database access
- NPR: Officer Who Sold Police Computer Data Gets A Pass From Supreme Court (Van Buren)
- DOJ: Former Police Dispatcher Charged for Unauthorized Use of Crime Computers (Thomas)
- OC Register: 911 dispatcher accused of leaking police data to racist gang
- Officer.com: Dispatcher arrested for tipping off suspects (Strang/Maricopa)
- CBS/AP: Police sometimes misuse confidential work databases for personal gain (AP Investigation)
- News4Jax: JSO officer arrested for giving database info to criminals (Barr case)
- KSL: Salt Lake City IT employee arrested for leaking undercover data to human trafficker
- WIS TV: Former SC corrections captain accused of leaking info to inmates (Morrell case)
- CBS News: Ex-DEA agent gets 5 years for protecting drug traffickers (Bongiovanni)
- CNN: Former DEA agent accused of conspiring with Jalisco Cartel (Campo case)
- FBI: Former Detroit officer sentenced for leaking info to drug trafficker (Coody)
- FBI: Federal court employee sentenced for leaking sealed records (Gevorkyan)
- DOJ: Mexican Federal Police Commander arrested for cartel conspiracy (Reyes Arzate)
- Globe and Mail: Toronto police officers charged in organized crime probe
- European Conservative: Swedish police staff leaked deadly info to gang members
- The Local: Sweden's police leaks scandal explained
- Border Report: Ex-Border Patrol agent who took cartel bribes gets prison (Jimenez)
- ICE: CBP Officer sent to prison for receiving bribes (George case)
- Yahoo News: CBP officer allegedly in Mexican drug cartel (Perez case)
- DOJ: Former CBP officer sentenced for cartel smuggling (Celedon)
- Mid Hudson News: State Police narcotics investigator busted by FBI (O'Flaherty)
- DOJ: Former Maryland State Trooper sentenced (Riggs)
- KERO: Arvin police employee arrested for leaking evidence (Garcia)
- Patch: St. Pete police employee arrested (Conyers)
- CP24: Toronto officer accused of leaking info for murder plot (Barnhardt)
- ABC7: Mississippi Delta bust - 2 sheriffs, 12 officers arrested (Gaston, Williams)