Emilee “Emma” Berger, a Tennessee woman, has been arrested and charged with identity theft after allegedly doxxing a man by sharing his unredacted personal information in a Facebook group. The incident, which occurred on March 11, 2023, has raised concerns about privacy and the legal protections surrounding public records.
The Incident: Doxxing on “Uncensored Voices of Monroe County Revamped” Facebook Group
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was alerted to the Facebook post on March 11, where a copy of an arrest warrant for Mitchell Cook was shared in the “Uncensored Voices of Monroe County Revamped” Facebook group.
The post contained personal identifying information about Cook, including his full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and driver’s license number. According to Sheriff Tommy Jones, Cook did not authorize anyone to post this sensitive information online.
Berger’s Response and Charges
Berger initially shared the post with unredacted personal information but later attempted to redact the details after being alerted by another Facebook user. The following day, she made a second post acknowledging the original mistake.
Despite her attempts to correct it, the sheriff’s office determined that the original post, which included unredacted personal information, violated privacy laws. This led to the charge of identity theft against Berger.
While certain public records are accessible to the public, sensitive data like Social Security numbers and driver’s license numbers are protected by law and cannot be shared without proper redaction. Documents released through appropriate channels, such as government websites, ensure this information is obscured to protect individuals from identity theft.
Ongoing Investigation into the Source of the Warrant
Berger was charged with identity theft and booked into the Monroe County Jail on March 13, 2023. She was released the same day after posting a $3,000 bond. Authorities are still investigating how Berger gained access to Cook’s arrest warrant.
MCSO detectives discovered that the copy of the document Berger shared had a distinct line, which is applied to scanned court documents. The original warrant did not have this line, leading investigators to conclude that the copy came from Monroe County Clerk of Court’s electronic system.
Legal Access and Investigation Continues
The clerk’s office confirmed that the system is only accessible to authorized personnel, including law enforcement, clerk’s office employees, and local attorneys. Investigators found that two individuals had accessed the warrant between its entry into the system and its service, neither of whom worked for MCSO or the clerk’s office. This information is now being forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
Public Warning: The Dangers of Unverified Information
The MCSO issued a public warning about the dangers of relying on rumors or unverified information on social media. They advised residents to wait for official statements from the sheriff’s office regarding ongoing investigations.
