[MRMEAN]

I hope the "run the plates" database logged the time that it was queried about that plate. If it was before the occifer stopped them, then the druids are lying.

I'm hoping and expecting the same thing. However even if Lt. Cris Varner ran the plates before he made the stop, he didn't necessarly share that information with the Gaineys. And Lt. Cris Varner (aka Officer Hellfire) still needs to explain why he ran the plates. Again, as I've already posted, from Fox21.com:

But Greer Police say they are investigating why the tag was run in the first place.

[DJ MacWoW]

However even if Lt. Cris Varner ran the plates before he made the stop,

I thought the cop that stopped them was Officer Stewart?

[The Red Zone]

Since tags are publicly displayed, a cop could choose any tag he wishes (such as who he is following at the time) and run it. There's no law saying he can't. As to whether he denied that to the couple, the courts are on record as allowing cops to lie to the public. Whether that ought to be the case is another matter of debate, but currently it's blessed.