A police officer in Omaha has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he unlawfully used computer links to statewide services to help car dealerships repossess cars.

US Attorney Deborah Gilg says Kevin Cave, 37, of Bellevue, entered a plea of guilty to one count of Exceeding Authorized Access to a Protected Computer for Private Financial Gain.

Cave was employed as an officer with the Omaha Police Department. In that capacity he had access to a database maintained by the Nebraska Crime Commission.

The Nebraska Criminal Justice Information System (NCJIS) is linked to numerous other databases within the State of Nebraska and other states. It can provide officers with information on suspects or witnesses to include criminal history information, drivers’ license information, employment information, and parole and probation information.

Commencing in 2010 and continuing until August of 2012, Cave admitted he conducted unauthorized NCJIS searches on behalf of car dealerships seeking to repossess cars. He conducted the searches because he was being paid up to $200.00 for each lead that led to a successful repossession. Cave received at least $16,050.00 from the dealerships for having done so.

The charge carries a possible penalty of up to five years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine or both and can be followed by up to three years of supervised release.