3 former SPD officers waive preliminary hearings, cases move to Superior Court

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Three fired SPD officers accused of misusing flock cameras are now one step closer to facing a grand jury.

WTOC was the only camera in the courtroom as they spoke with the judge Thursday.

Former Homicide Detective Marquis Dilliard, Corporal Matthew Rich, and Donald Phillips all appeared in recorders court in front of Judge Harmon.

In Donald Phillips case, his attorney went before the Judge to modify his bond conditions, to dismiss a no-contact order to a woman he was allegedly looking up.

That woman came before the Judge and says she does not view herself as a victim and is ‘not scared of Donald, nor does she need protection from him’. That condition of the bond was taken out.

The 4th employee who was fired, Calandic Thomas is only facing misdemeanor charges and will be seen by Judge Williams.

All three former officers in Harmon’s courtroom are out on bond. They appeared in person, waived their preliminary hearings, sending their cases to Superior Court.

A grand jury will now review the cases for a potential indictment on charges of misusing the flock system and violation of oath of office.

Separate from the criminal case, Rich and Phillips, went before the city’s civil service board this week, asking for their jobs back.

A ruling has not yet been made by the board.

Here’s a look at the charges they are facing:

• Marquis Dillard, 48, of Savannah, was charged with two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system and one count of violation of oath of office.
• Donald Phillips, 23, of Fleming, was charged with two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system and one count of violation of oath of office.
• Matthew Rich, 39, of Savannah, was charged with two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system and one count of violation of oath of office.
• Calandic Thomas, 34, of Pooler, was charged with two counts of misuse of a license plate reader system.

On July 29, 2026, the Savannah Police Department asked the GBI to investigate allegations of license plate reader misuse following an internal audit of the Flock Safety System.

Preliminary information shows the four subjects accessed the Flock Safety System for non-law enforcement purposes.

We will keep you updated as their cases make their way to a Grand Jury.