A Bell police officer faces up to three years in prison for allegedly using a GPS tracking device to monitor his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle and unlawfully accessing confidential California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) records. James Ixcoy, 30, was arrested and released on Monday. His arraignment is scheduled for October 2 in Los Angeles County criminal court.

Authorities say Ixcoy’s charges include one felony count of illegally accessing and using computer data and one misdemeanor count of unlawfully employing an electronic tracking device. According to the District Attorney’s office, the allegations stem from incidents in mid-2025. On July 17, Ixcoy is accused of running an unauthorized DMV registration inquiry on a man who had previously dated his ex-girlfriend. Then, on August 18, he reportedly placed a GPS tracking device on the ex-girlfriend’s car without her knowledge, an item later recovered by law enforcement.

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman condemned the actions, emphasizing that Ixcoy, as a sworn law enforcement official, abused his authority by misusing official databases and surveillance tools for personal purposes. “When an officer forsakes his duty to serve the public and instead illicitly accesses these databases and places GPS tracking devices on cars to serve his own private interests, as has been alleged against Officer Ixcoy, he is looking at spending time in a cell for such misguided actions,” Hochman said.

The case highlights concerns about misuse of law enforcement tools and protections around personal privacy. Ixcoy remains out on bail pending his upcoming court appearance. No further details about his defense or potential plea were immediately available.