Woman Doxxed Man by Posting His Arrest Warrant on Social Media. Now, She’s Been Charged with Identity Theft

A woman from Tennessee has been charged with identity theft after allegedly disclosing sensitive personal information about a man on social media. Emilee “Emma” Berger reportedly posted a copy of an arrest warrant for Mitchell Cook in a local Facebook group, which included his full name, date of birth, driver’s licence number, and Social Security number.

The incident came to light on March 11 when authorities were alerted about the Facebook post in a group named “Uncensored Voices of Monroe County Revamped.” According to Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones, the original post contained unredacted personal inforamation, which is not permissible for public disclosure.

Cook informed detectives that he had not authorised anyone to publish his private information online. His complaint led to an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), which concluded that a criminal offense had indeed occurred due to the unauthorised sharing of sensitive details.

On March 13, Berger was arrested and subsequently charged with identity theft. Although she claims to have redacted the personal information in a later post, the sheriff confirmed that Berger was still responsible for the initial breach. After spending some time in custody, she was released on a $3,000 bond the same day.

The sheriff emphasised the legal protections surrounding personal identifying information, stating that although many records are public, sensitive details like Social Security numbers and driver’s licence numbers must be safeguarded. He pointed out that proper channels exist for releasing such information, and these processes typically include necessary redactions to protect against fraud and identity theft.

In light of the incident, the MCSO has issued a statement advising the public to refrain from relying on unverified information spread through social media platforms. Residents were encouraged to seek accurate information directly from official sources regarding any ongoing investigations.

Authorities are currently investigating how Berger gained access to Cook’s arrest warrant. The sheriff revealed that detectives found a distinctive line on the document she shared, which is characteristic of records scanned into the Monroe County court system. This suggests that the warrant was obtained from the electronic system maintained by the clerk’s office, and was likely shared with Berger by someone with authorized access.

Monroe County Clerk of Court Dewayna Martin confirmed that only designated personnel, such as clerk’s office workers, law enforcement officials, and local attorneys, have access to this electronic system. Following an investigation, it was discovered that two individuals accessed the warrant within the timeframe between when it was entered into the county system and when it was served. Neither of these individuals were employees of the MCSO or the clerk’s office.

Sheriff Jones stated that the MCSO would pass on their findings to the relevant authorities for further investigation. The case highlights ongoing concerns about privacy and the safeguarding of personal information in an increasingly digital world. As investigations continue, the situation underscores the potential consequences of mishandling sensitive data in an age dominated by social media.

It remains unclear whether Berger has secured legal representation to address the charges against her. Meanwhile, the local community is urged to remain vigilant in protecting their own personal information and to be cautious about the implications of sharing details online.