Alain Fernandez, a 15-year Florida Highway Patrol trooper, was arrested on three third-degree felony counts after FDLE alleges he repeatedly accessed NCIC, DAVID, and other restricted systems and shared confidential records with private contacts. The probe began after Alabama officers stopped a heavily equipped Dodge Charger and discovered messages linking the driver to a contact saved as "Fernandez." FDLE matched near-simultaneous database queries to messages and found at least 22 improper disclosures dating back to 2022. Fernandez was placed on administrative leave, had devices seized, and was later terminated while investigations continue.
Florida Trooper Arrested After FDLE Ties Him To Alabama 'Fake Cop' Scheme
File Photo. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Alain Fernandez, a 15-year veteran Florida Highway Patrol trooper assigned to Troop L in Fort Pierce, was arrested on Sept. 9 on three third-degree felony counts after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) says he repeatedly queried restricted law-enforcement databases and shared confidential records with private individuals tied to a man impersonating an officer in Alabama.
How the Probe Began
The investigation began in Attalla, Alabama, after officers stopped a heavily equipped black 2017 Dodge Charger that appeared to be impersonating a police cruiser. The driver, Nathan Michael Novotny, was found with law-enforcement-style equipment and a firearm. Data extracted from Novotny's phone included NCIC screenshots and messages from a contact saved as "Fernandez" (Snapchat display name "Fern").
Phone Evidence And Database Matches
FDLE compared communications with Fernandez's access logs and found near-simultaneous database queries. In several instances, Novotny sent a driver's license number and received an NCIC image back within about a minute; transaction logs showed Fernandez had queried the same record immediately beforehand. Investigators identified at least 22 disclosures dating to 2022 involving NCIC, the Florida Crime Information Center, and DAVID (Driver And Vehicle Information Database).
Related Florida Pursuit And Identification Questions
Separately, troopers pursued a white 2020 Tesla Model 3 on Sept. 14 that reached speeds up to 130–140 mph. The Tesla was registered to Khaled Abdullah Turkustani. FDLE says Fernandez later queried the vehicle and provided information to Turkustani, including screenshots from a camera network (Flock), warning that vehicles had been 'hot listed' and advising him to turn himself in. Fernandez also issued citations that were later dismissed. Prosecutors later filed a "No Information" on contemplated charges against Turkustani; a disposition note said Fernandez was the only potential witness who could identify the driver, but he remained on administrative leave and unavailable.
Agency Actions And Personnel History
FDLE executed search warrants and seized Fernandez's personal phone, agency computer, and later his work cellphone. The Florida Highway Patrol placed him on paid administrative leave, revoked his access to restricted systems, and ultimately terminated him effective Sept. 9, 2026. Fernandez had previously faced internal discipline: in 2018 FHP suspended him for 120 hours for conduct issues, and the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission imposed certification-related sanctions that were later completed in February 2021.
Legal Status And Notes
FDLE's criminal complaint alleges Fernandez knowingly used restricted systems outside authorized purposes; investigators say the disclosures were not made to obstruct a prosecution. All individuals named are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Several related charges and citations tied to the Florida incidents were dismissed or not prosecuted, and investigators continue to review evidence and disclosure notifications.
Update (Sept. 26, 2026): New Attalla Police reports and Alabama court records added detail to the Sept. 16 pursuit, the Charger, and the phone evidence that linked investigators to Fernandez.
Sources: Published Florida and Alabama court records, police and investigative records obtained via public-records requests, and documents provided by the Florida Highway Patrol and other agencies.
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