Missouri officers accused of stealing nude photos from multiple women’s phones during traffic stops

Two former Missouri police officers, Julian Alcala and David McKnight, have been charged in separate cases in federal court for allegedly illegally searching women’s phones during traffic stops to obtain intimate images. Alcala, a former Florissant officer, is facing 20 counts of deprivation of rights for unreasonable search and seizure, while McKnight, a former state trooper, is facing similar charges. Alcala allegedly took women’s phones during stops to search for nude images, texting himself videos and deleting evidence of the texts. Civil lawsuits have been filed against both officers, with allegations of privacy violations and exploitation. The Florissant Police Department expressed shock and condemnation of Alcala’s behavior, stating they had not received complaints about him during his employment. McKnight surrendered his state peace officer license to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, banning him from future law enforcement work. Both cases were investigated by the FBI, who encouraged victims of police misconduct to come forward. The cases highlight the need for accountability and transparency in law enforcement, as well as the importance of reporting inappropriate behavior by officers.

Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com