Missouri police officers accused of unauthorized access to women’s mobile devices
Former officer accused of crimes against nine women
David McKnight, a 39-year-old former officer with the Missouri Highway Patrol, was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly stopping nine women between September 2023 and August 2024. During these stops, he checked their phones under false pretenses and took photos that he later deleted. McKnight faces charges of tampering with evidence and violating rights related to unreasonable searches and seizures.
McKnight was arrested on August 21, 2024, following an internal investigation and resigned shortly after. The seriousness of his actions has sparked intense debate.
Second case: former officer under investigation for similar crimes
Julian Alcala, a 29-year-old former officer in Florissant, is also under investigation for similar offenses. Between February and May 2024, Alcala allegedly accessed the phones of 20 women, copying private images for personal use. Despite his short tenure in the department since January 2023, these accusations have marred his professional reputation.
Alcala faces similar charges to McKnight, with authorities encouraging potential victims to come forward to strengthen the case against him.
Reaction of local authorities
The Florissant Police Department publicly condemned Alcala’s actions, stating, “We are outraged by this behavior, which goes against the values we stand for. We understand the gravity of this breach of trust and its impact on our community.” They also mentioned that Alcala had passed a thorough background check before being hired and had not received any prior complaints during his short tenure as an officer.
