Tennessee House hopeful faces felony charges for shooting license-plate cameras

Adam Lee Heimerman, an independent candidate for Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District, was arrested on four felony vandalism counts after allegedly shooting four automated license-plate reader cameras in July.

An independent candidate for the U.S. House in Tennessee’s 2nd District, Adam Lee Heimerman, was detained on four felony vandalism charges for allegedly firing at four automated license-plate reader cameras between July 14 and 22. The Blount County Sheriff’s Office reports that three of the cameras were in Blount County and a fourth in Maryville, and that at least one was supplied by the company Flock. Authorities claim Heimerman reached one of the devices by entering the property of a house of worship while a service was in progress.

Despite the arrest, Heimerman stays on the November 3 general-election ballot. His opponent, Republican incumbent Tim Burchett, recently introduced a bill aimed at preventing federal agencies from purchasing or accessing ALPR systems and limiting state and one outlet use of federal funds for them, a move welcomed by Flock. The incident adds to a wave of attacks on ALPR technology across the United States, which has faced criticism over privacy and misuse concerns.