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Bell Officer Arrested on Charges Over Alleged Illegal DMV Search and GPS Tracking

Prosecutors say the case reveals misuse of police database access and secret vehicle surveillance, prompting criminal charges and a public request for other victims to come forward.

Overview

  • Los Angeles County prosecutors charged Bell officer James Ixcoy with one felony count of accessing and using computer data without permission and one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of an electronic tracking device.
  • Prosecutors allege Ixcoy ran an unauthorized DMV registration inquiry tied to a man who had dated his ex-girlfriend and later placed a GPS tracking device on his ex-girlfriend’s car, with authorities recovering the device.
  • If convicted on the charges filed by the district attorney, Ixcoy faces up to three years and six months in county jail according to charging information.
  • Law enforcement made the arrest earlier this week and have asked anyone with related information or similar experiences to contact Detective Jason Tamayo at the Bell Gardens Police Department.
  • The case raises questions about officer access to government databases and the use of electronic trackers in alleged domestic surveillance, which could lead to criminal penalties and internal oversight or discipline.