UPDATE: A former police officer has confessed to illegally searching the phones of 20 women during traffic stops to steal nude photos. Julian Alcala, who served in the Florissant Police Department in Missouri, made this shocking admission in a U.S. District Court.
Between February 6 and May 18, 2024, Alcala, 30, conducted traffic stops in a marked police vehicle, where he misled victims into handing over their mobile phones. He claimed he needed to check their insurance coverage or vehicle registration. However, without a warrant or probable cause, he searched through their phones and used his own device to capture explicit images he found.
The extent of Alcala’s misconduct came to light when one victim discovered he had forwarded a video of her to his phone. This prompted her to alert the FBI, which launched an investigation. Alcala resigned from the Florissant Police Department in June 2024 as inquiries intensified.
In court, Alcala pleaded guilty to 20 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, violating the victims’ rights to be free from unreasonable searches. Each count could result in up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $100,000, or both. His sentencing is set for March 11, 2026.
The Florissant Police Department publicly condemned Alcala’s actions. In a statement released on November 2024, they expressed their disgust, calling his behavior a “complete betrayal of the values we uphold.” They emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust within the community, committing to transparency and accountability moving forward.
The investigation revealed even more concerning details, as court-approved search warrants uncovered images of Alcala’s 19 additional victims stored on his phone and cloud storage. The community is left grappling with the implications of this breach of trust, which has raised serious concerns about police accountability and the protection of citizens’ rights.
As this case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse of power within law enforcement. Authorities and community leaders are now focused on restoring faith in the police force as they confront the fallout from Alcala’s actions.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.