Prichard Police Officer Arrested for Withholding Evidence and Distributing Private Images

Prichard, AL (BuzzReport) – A Prichard police officer has been arrested and charged with serious offenses related to his handling of evidence and a breach of privacy. Malachi Ligon, a former provisional corrections officer with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, was taken into custody on August 12, 2025.

According to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the allegations stem from an arrest Ligon made on August 11, 2025, involving Theodore Roberts Jr. for Domestic Violence 3rd and Resisting Arrest. Instead of processing Roberts’ phone as evidence at Metro Jail, Ligon allegedly retained the device and accessed its contents without a necessary search warrant. It is further alleged that he then forwarded explicit private images and videos from the phone to Roberts’ wife.

The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation into these serious allegations after consulting with the District Attorney’s Office. Investigators conducted a thorough probe, which included witness interviews, examination of digital evidence, obtaining search warrants, and an interview with Ligon himself.

As a result of the investigation, Ligon was formally charged with Theft of Property 3rd Degree and Distributing Private Image without Consent. Additionally, it was discovered that Ligon had an outstanding warrant with the Alabama State Troopers for Speeding.

It was also revealed that Ligon previously served as a Provisional Corrections Officer with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office from November 11, 2023, until his employment was terminated on December 14, 2023, following a 30-day probation period.