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A former police officer from Florissant, Missouri, has been federally indicted on charges of stealing intimate photos from at least 20 women during traffic stops. Julian Alcala, 29, faces 20 counts of deprivation of rights for violating constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure, in addition to one count of destroying records related to a federal investigation.
The alleged incidents occurred between February and May 2024. According to court documents, Alcala's method involved pulling women over for minor traffic issues, such as a broken taillight. He would then ask to see their digital proof of insurance. Upon being handed an unlocked phone, he would take the device back to his patrol car, where he would search through private messages and photo galleries for explicit images. The indictment states he then used his personal phone to photograph the women's private pictures.
Many of the victims were unaware their privacy had been violated until they were contacted by the FBI, which led the investigation. In one case outlined in a civil lawsuit, agents informed a woman that nude photos she had only sent to her husband had been found and shared. The investigation uncovered that Alcala allegedly sent himself a victim's private video and then deleted the text message from her phone to cover his tracks, as reported by NBC News.
In addition to the federal charges, multiple civil lawsuits have been filed against Alcala and the City of Florissant, with victims seeking damages for emotional distress and anxiety. Attorneys involved in the cases suggest the number of victims could be higher, as more women have come forward. One lawsuit alleges the city failed to supervise its officer, claiming it had received prior complaints about his behavior.
The Florissant Police Department issued a statement expressing disgust over the allegations, calling the behavior "a complete betrayal" of its values. Alcala resigned from his position in June after the department was notified of the FBI investigation. According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety, he has permanently surrendered his state peace officer license, preventing him from working as a law enforcement officer in Missouri again.
