Prichard Police Chief indicted by Special Mobile County Grand Jury

July 22, 2026 - MOBILE, Alabama – District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced on Wednesday that a Special Mobile County Grand Jury has returned indictments against Prichard Police Chief Walter Knight and another member of the Prichard Police Department following an investigation into alleged misconduct within the agency.

Prichard Police Chief Walter Knight was indicted on charges of Use of Official Position or Office for Personal Gain (Ethics Violation) and Theft by Deception.

Prichard Police Sergeant Aaron Tucker was indicted on charges of Use of Official Position or Office for Personal Gain (Ethics Violation) and Theft by Deception.

The Grand Jury found probable cause to believe that Knight and Tucker unlawfully used public time and equipment for their personal financial benefit through private funeral procession services. The Grand Jury further concluded that the evidence supported charges under Alabama's Ethics Act and Theft by Deception statutes.

"The recommendations made by the Grand Jury are extraordinary, but so are the circumstances that led to them," Blackwood said. "The citizens of Prichard deserve a police department that is professional, accountable, and worthy of the tremendous public trust placed in every law enforcement officer."

Blackwood said that these indictments are the result of a broader, ongoing investigation initiated by the Mobile County District Attorney's Office after federal authorities arrested Prichard Police Officer Emmanuel Naman Dotch II on allegations including civil rights violations, bribery, evidence tampering, extortion, and related offenses arising from his duties as a police officer. According to the federal criminal complaint, Dotch is accused of abusing his position to conceal crimes, unlawfully detain individuals, accept bribes, and tamper with evidence.

The Special Grand Jury issued a public report expressing serious concerns regarding the operations and management of the Prichard Police Department. The report cites evidence presented during the investigation concerning systemic failures within the department, including evidence handling, investigative practices, and officer misconduct. The Grand Jury concluded that significant reforms are necessary to restore public confidence.

"The recommendations made by the Grand Jury are extraordinary, but so are the circumstances that led to them," Blackwood said. "The citizens of Prichard deserve a police department that is professional, accountable, and worthy of the tremendous public trust placed in every law enforcement officer."

Blackwood thanked the Mobile County Sheriff's Office, the Mobile Police Department, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the numerous state and federal law enforcement partners who assisted throughout the investigation.

Five Prichard police officers are facing a variety of corruption related charges. There are allegations that Dotch and perhaps other Prichard police officers were accepting bribes from criminal organizations to cover up crimes.

An indictment is just a finding that there is evidence that a crime may have occurred. The defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty by a jury of their peers.

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