A Mobile County Special Grand Jury has indicted Prichard Police Chief Walter Knight and Sgt. Aaron Tucker while recommending the city abolish and rebuild its police department after an investigation that District Attorney Keith Blackwood said uncovered what he described as a “cultural rot” within the agency.
Blackwood said his office launched the investigation following the federal arrest of former Prichard Police Officer Emmanuel Naman Dotch II on allegations including bribery, evidence tampering, extortion and related offenses. As the investigation expanded, Blackwood convened a special grand jury to determine whether criminal charges were warranted and to examine broader concerns within the department.
The grand jury returned indictments charging Knight and Tucker with Use of Official Position or Office for Personal Gain, an ethics violation, and Theft by Deception. According to the grand jury’s findings, the two allegedly used city time and equipment for private funeral procession work while on duty.
Blackwood said investigators allege the pair were effectively “double-dipping.”
“They allegedly were being paid for their jobs as Prichard police officers, and during the time they were being paid, they were also being paid by private companies for funeral escorts,” Blackwood said. “Double-dipping, essentially.”
Investigators also allege the side jobs involved the use of city-owned police vehicles, uniforms, firearms, radios and other equipment that should have been used to serve Prichard residents.
Beyond the indictments, the grand jury issued a public report recommending that the Prichard City Council begin proceedings to remove Knight as chief of police, abolish and rebuild the department using nationally recognized accreditation standards, and contract with Mobile County for law enforcement services while the department is rebuilt.
Blackwood said the recommendations reflect broader issues uncovered during the investigation.
“Many of these things are connected, not necessarily in an obvious way. But really, it’s a cultural rot that was going on at the Prichard Police Department. It’s failure to supervise. It’s failure to follow guidelines, policies, regulations. And in cases, we’ve seen blatant alleged violations of law going on.”
Blackwood emphasized that the investigation remains active and said additional charges could follow as investigators continue reviewing evidence.
“This investigation is not over. This investigation is just beginning,” Blackwood said. “These indictments and this recommendation represent the evidence that has been developed to this point.”
“The recommendations made by the Grand Jury are extraordinary and I sincerely hope that they are given the careful consideration that they deserve,” Blackwood said. “The citizens of Prichard deserve a police department worthy of their trust.”
At this time, Knight remains chief of police. During the news conference, Blackwood said any decision on his employment now rests with Prichard’s elected leaders, adding that he is optimistic the mayor and city council will work together to implement the grand jury’s recommendations.
Blackwood also thanked the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Mobile Police Department, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and other local, state and federal agencies that assisted with the investigation.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
