The Sheriff of Marion County, Florida might have unlawfully published private information of crime victims causing severe mental anguish to those victims of crime.

This is an investigation and pending class action lawsuit against the Sheriff of Marion County.

This class action lawsuit is based upon reports from victims of crimes perpetrated within Marion County whose addresses, along with a description of the crime perpetrated against them, were unlawfully published by the Sheriff from July 1, 2007 until October 30, 2008 on the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MSCO) website. The Sheriff published the addresses of victims of various crimes, including, but not limited to, the crimes of burglary, robbery, and “special victim crimes,” such as sexual battery, lewd and lascivious conduct, and child abuse.

The class action lawsuit alleges that, between July 1, 2007 until October 30, 2008, the Sheriff published the addresses of criminal incidents in Marion County, and a description of the crimes perpetrated at those addresses, on the “Crime Mapping” section of the MCSO website, previously available at www.marionso.com/crimemapping. According to the class action lawsuit, the “Crime Mapping” section of the MCSO website displayed Incident Reports. The Incident Reports included the Incident Address, a Case Number, a Description of the Crime, and Date and Time of the Criminal Incident. More often than not, the Incident Addresses were the addresses of the victims because the subject crimes occurred at those addresses. On or about October 30, 2008, the “Crime Mapping” section of the MCSO website was removed by the Sheriff.

The class action lawsuit has been filed in the Circuit Court in and for Marion County, Florida. The lead Plaintiff has been identified as John Doe, to protect his or her identity. The Class Plaintiffs are seeking, among other relief, damages for the mental anguish and anxiety associated with the stigma of being identified as a victim of a crime.