Sheriff defends Cellebrite use; council places license renewal on file

The council considered Communication 2026-6213, a request to authorize the chief executive to approve a one-year Cellebrite software license for local law enforcement.

Project analyst Jessica LaPraus presented the request, and Commissioner Gerbrandt asked about privacy and protections against intrusion when the tool can brute-force locked devices. Sheriff Ed Lester responded that brute-force access requires a search warrant and that investigators also rely on consent or victims’ phones in many cases. "You have to have a search warrant to do that," Sheriff Lester said, adding that the county’s Internet Crimes Against Children detectives use Cellebrite tools and that local access speeds investigations: "We can get that information in days" rather than waiting months for state lab analysis.

Commissioner Gerbrandt asked how the county safeguards the privacy of innocent people and what oversight governs brute-force decisions; the sheriff reiterated search-warrant requirements and described the tool’s use in child-exploitation and homicide investigations. After discussion the council concurred and placed Communication 2026-6213 on file by unanimous voice vote.