Published: 6/16/26
Editor’s Note: This article summarizes allegations contained in a federal probable-cause affidavit filed in the Southern District of Alabama. The affidavit is attached below for public review. These are allegations only, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
A federal affidavit filed in the Southern District of Alabama outlines serious allegations against Emanuel Naman Dotch II, a sworn officer with the Prichard Police Department.
The affidavit, sworn by an FBI Special Agent, was submitted in support of a criminal complaint and arrest warrant. It alleges that Dotch abused his position as a police officer to assist criminals, conceal evidence, violate civil rights, and solicit cash payments while acting under color of law.
The charges listed in the affidavit include conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law, conspiracy, bribery involving federal-program funds, evidence tampering, and extortion under color of official right.
According to the affidavit, investigators relied on cooperating defendants, confidential sources, electronic records, search warrants, subpoenas, body camera footage, iCloud data, and a court-authorized wiretap.
Alleged Evidence Concealment in a Federal Murder-for-Hire Investigation
One portion of the affidavit alleges Dotch concealed evidence connected to a May 2021 shooting involving John Fitzgerald McCarroll Jr., who was later part of a federal murder-for-hire case.
A cooperating defendant allegedly told investigators that McCarroll wanted Dotch to retrieve gas station surveillance video from the shooting and “make it disappear.”
Federal investigators later obtained data from Dotch’s iCloud account and reportedly found surveillance video from the shooting, photographs of damage to McCarroll’s BMW i8, images of shell casings inside the vehicle, and audio recordings of interviews related to the shooting.
The affidavit states that these materials had not been turned over to federal investigators during the murder-for-hire investigation and would have been significant to that case.
Alleged Agreement to Transport Marijuana for Cash
The affidavit also describes a January 2024 recorded meeting between Dotch and a cooperating defendant.
During that meeting, the cooperating defendant allegedly proposed that Dotch transport bulk marijuana in exchange for cash. The affidavit states Dotch agreed to transport approximately 15 to 20 pounds of marijuana for $2,500 per trip.
The affidavit also states the plan included the possibility that Dotch would transport bulk cash back to the Mobile area.
Alleged Civil Rights Violations During a Prichard Traffic Stop
Another major section of the affidavit focuses on a November 15, 2025 stop near Lotus Gentleman’s Club in Prichard.
According to the affidavit, Dotch contacted on-duty Prichard officers and directed them to stop a vehicle occupied by two individuals identified as Victim-1 and Victim-2.
The affidavit alleges the vehicle was lawfully parked, but officers detained the occupants and later searched the vehicle after allegedly fabricating probable cause. Body camera footage reportedly showed officers discussing whether they smelled marijuana, even though officers initially indicated they did not.
During the search, officers reportedly recovered fentanyl, methamphetamine, pills, and firearms.
The affidavit states investigators believe a bag containing narcotics had been planted in the vehicle without the occupants’ knowledge. The Mobile County District Attorney’s Office later declined prosecution due to an apparent civil rights violation.
According to the affidavit, one victim spent 3 days in jail, and the other spent 14 days in jail.
Alleged Bribes to Avoid Arrest
The affidavit further alleges that on May 16, 2026, Dotch was working security in his official capacity as a uniformed Prichard police officer at Tree Bar-B-Que and Lounge.
During that incident, Dotch and another officer allegedly detained a cooperating defendant and the defendant’s cousin. The cooperating defendant later told investigators he paid $1,000 in cash to Dotch and another officer so he and his cousin would not be taken to jail.
The affidavit states that on May 19, 2026, Dotch called the cooperating defendant and asked for additional money, allegedly saying another officer needed to be paid or placated.
On May 26, 2026, federal agents monitored a controlled delivery in which the cooperating defendant gave Dotch an additional $400. According to the affidavit, that interaction was captured on audio and video.
Why This Matters
The allegations in this affidavit are deeply serious.
As Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood stated during the press conference, these allegations have the potential to affect many cases, both pending and dismissed. When a law enforcement officer is accused of fabricating probable cause, concealing evidence, or abusing authority, the impact can reach far beyond one arrest or one investigation.
Authorities also stated that the affidavit was unsealed because they believe members of the public may have information relevant to the investigation. By making this information public, they are hoping key witnesses may come forward.
Police officers hold extraordinary authority. They can detain people, search vehicles, seize property, make arrests, and influence whether someone loses their freedom. When that authority is allegedly used for personal gain, to protect criminal activity, or to violate the rights of others, the harm reaches far beyond one case.
It damages public trust. It affects victims. It undermines legitimate law enforcement work. And it raises serious questions about accountability within the systems communities depend on for safety and justice.
The affidavit concludes that there is probable cause to believe Dotch violated multiple federal laws.
These remain allegations at this stage. Dotch is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The full affidavit is attached below for public review.
If you’d like to support this work, you can use the link below or text ACCAHOPE to 53-555. Donations help us continue reviewing records, building timelines, and keeping cases like Brittney’s visible.
Leave a Reply