A former Nashville police officer has been sentenced to probation after pleading in a misconduct case that stemmed from his alleged participation in an adult video filmed while he was on duty and in uniform.
According to court records filed Thursday, 35-year-old Sean Herman entered a “best interest” plea to one felony count of official misconduct. A second count against him was dismissed. Under the plea arrangement, Herman will serve one year of supervised probation.
The plea, sometimes known as an Alford plea, allows a defendant to accept guilt for legal purposes while maintaining factual innocence. In addition, Herman was granted judicial diversion. This program allows certain offenders who successfully complete probation under judicial supervision to have their case dismissed and later request that the charges be expunged from their record.
The case gained attention in May 2024, when the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department announced Herman’s firing. Detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division had uncovered an adult video in which Herman allegedly appeared while wearing his MNPD uniform. The video, which was posted on the subscription-based platform OnlyFans, depicted what officials described as a mock traffic stop. In the skit, Herman was accused of groping a female driver while in uniform.
Investigators determined the video had been filmed on April 26, 2024, in a warehouse parking lot, while Herman was on duty as a patrol officer. The discovery led to his arrest in June, when he was charged with two counts of official misconduct.
In addition to the criminal charges, Herman also faced professional consequences. In August 2024, the Tennessee Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission indefinitely suspended his certification to serve as a law enforcement officer. The decision leaves open the possibility for Herman to request reinstatement after the conclusion of his criminal case, though the suspension remains in effect for now.
Following Thursday’s plea deal, Herman will remain under probationary supervision for one year. If he complies with all the conditions of probation, the case will be dismissed and he may pursue expungement.
Officials from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department have not issued further comment since his sentencing, but previously confirmed that Herman’s employment was terminated after his involvement in the video was verified.
Attempts to reach Herman’s attorney for comment on the plea deal were not successful as of Friday.
The case underscores growing scrutiny over law enforcement misconduct, particularly incidents that blur the line between personal behavior and professional responsibility. While Herman avoided prison time, the consequences of his actions have effectively ended his law enforcement career, at least for the foreseeable future.
His court supervision will continue into 2025, after which the judicial diversion program may offer him a chance at a clean slate — provided he completes probation without incident.
