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Former Prince William County police lieutenant used law enforcement database without authorization: cops

Published  July 30, 2019 9:48am EDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 5 DC

Former Virginia cop accused of illegally processing information

A former Prince William County police lieutenant was arrested and is facing invasion of privacy charges after allegedly using a law enforcement database to access unauthorized information.

MANASSAS, Va. - A former Prince William County police lieutenant was arrested and is facing invasion of privacy charges after allegedly using a law enforcement database to access unauthorized information.

Officials say 43-year-old William Martin Burke was arrested on Monday. Burke is accused of accessing the personal information of citizens using the department’s LInX-Law Enforcement Information Exchange database. The investigation began in February during a routine audit.

Authorities say the information obtained by Burke during his alleged searches does not appear to have been used in any fraudulent way. In a press release, Prince William County Police say Burke "separated employment" from the agency in April 2019. At the time of his separation officials say Burke held the rank of a police lieutenant with 17 years of service.

The case will be handled by a special prosecutor from Fauquier County. Burke is from Manassas and was charged with five counts of computer invasion of privacy. He was released on personal recognizance and is due in court on September 5.