Two Missouri officers are accused of using traffic stops to access women’s private photos—an abuse of power now facing federal indictments.
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ST. LOUIS, MO
– Two former
Missouri
law enforcement officers are facing federal indictments after allegedly exploiting their authority during traffic stops to access and steal private photos from women’s cell phones. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri announced the charges this week, sparking outrage over these alleged abuses of power.
Julian Alcala: A Pattern of Misconduct
Julian Alcala, 29, a former police officer in Florissant, Missouri, has been indicted on 20 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of destroying records in a federal investigation. Prosecutors allege that between February 6 and May 18, 2024, Alcala unlawfully accessed the cell phones of 20 women during traffic stops.
According to the indictment, Alcala stopped the women for minor traffic violations and falsely claimed he needed their phones to verify insurance coverage or vehicle registration. Once in possession of their phones, he allegedly searched for nude photos and used his personal device to photograph the images.
In one incident, Alcala reportedly found a video on a woman’s phone, texted it to his own phone, and attempted to erase evidence of the message. The FBI’s St. Louis Division emphasized the seriousness of these actions, with Special Agent in Charge Ashley T. Johnson stating:
“If you feel uncomfortable about your encounter with law enforcement, please don’t hesitate to go to that department after the fact to report what happened. If you feel your civil rights have been violated, contact the FBI. Investigating criminal conduct by a law enforcement officer is among our top priorities.”
David McKnight: Another Troubling Case
Just days before Alcala’s indictment, another Missouri officer was charged with similar offenses. Former Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper David McKnight, 39, faces one count of destroying records in a federal investigation and nine counts of deprivation of rights under color of law.
McKnight is accused of targeting nine women during traffic stops between September 1, 2023, and August 19, 2024. Like Alcala, he allegedly took cell phones from women under the guise of verifying insurance or identification. McKnight then reportedly searched for private photos and used his personal phone to capture them.
These cases highlight a disturbing trend of misuse of authority, raising questions about systemic issues in law enforcement oversight.
The Path Forward: Protecting Civil Rights
The indictments of Alcala and McKnight underscore the critical importance of holding law enforcement officers accountable for criminal misconduct. These allegations have sparked renewed calls for transparency and reform to prevent abuses of power.
Victims of law enforcement misconduct are encouraged to come forward. Reports of civil rights violations can be made directly to the FBI, ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
Trust in law enforcement is built on accountability and integrity. The federal investigation into these cases aims to reaffirm those values while addressing the harm caused by these alleged actions.
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