False Flock hit put man on knees at gunpoint for five minutes; sheriff seeks dismissal

Iraq War veteran Steven Melvin spent five minutes on his knees at gunpoint after a Flock Safety camera misread one letter on his license plate and mistook his BMW for a stolen car. Melvin filed a federal lawsuit for false imprisonment and civil rights violations, and the York County sheriff is seeking its dismissal, calling the camera error reasonable.

• Flock camera correctly read Melvin's plate 13 times before the erroneous hit
• Detention at gunpoint lasted over five minutes, no charges filed
• Petitions to drop Flock cameras in York and Chester counties gathered 2000+ signatures
• Lawsuit filed June 29, 2026, court date not yet set