Former Lorain police officer gets community control for misusing secure databases

A former Lorain police officer who misused secure police databases and license plate reader cameras will give up his police certification in Ohio and pick up a felony record after pleading guilty to seven criminal charges in Lorain County Common Pleas Court. Lynnwood McGrier, 33, of Rita Drive in Lorain, pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of unauthorized use of the Law Enforcement Automated Database System, or LEADS, and three counts of unauthorized use of a computer, cable or telecommunications property, all felonies, plus one misdemeanor count of telecommunications harassment. Judge Melissa Kobasher sentenced McGrier to two years on community control, formerly called probation, based on the joint recommendation of prosecutors and defense attorney Henry Hilow. Hilow couldn't immediately be reached for comment. A message seeking further details was left for the Lorain County Prosecutor's Office. McGrier also agreed to give up his Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy certification, meaning he won't be able to be a police officer in Ohio ever again, according to court records. The Lorain County Prosecutor's Office dismissed two felony unauthorized use charges and two misdemeanor telecommunication harassment charges as part of a plea agreement. The maximum penalty for each of the felonies was six to 12 months in prison, which is unlikely to be imposed on any first-time, nonviolent felony offender. While on community control, McGrier can't commit any more crimes, has to find and keep a full-time job, can't leave the state without permission of his probation officer and has to pay $20 per month in community control supervision fees. LEADS is a computerized database used by law enforcement agencies to access data including driver's license information, addresses and Social Security numbers. The Lorain County Sheriff's Office investigated after the Lorain Police Department self-reported that an audit had discovered McGrier was misusing the database. Prosecutor Tony Cillo previously said McGrier also accessed a Flock license plate reader camera system and used it to do searches that weren't related to police work. The victim of those searches wasn't identified in court records. McGrier accessed secure databases without authorization multiple times between May 2024 and May 6 this year, authorities said previously. Hired in 2022, McGrier was serving as a school resource officer when he was put on leave. On unpaid leave since mid-May, McGrier resigned with an administrative disciplinary investigation pending, Lorain police spokesman Capt. Jake Morris said Friday. Morris said McGrier was caught and the case handed over for criminal investigation after internal audits discovered he was misusing secure police databases. The department "took appropriate action," with McGrier facing consequences up to and including termination, Morris said. Contact Dave O'Brien at 440-329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.