Prichard Police Officer Indicted on Stolen Property Charges Following Fatal Shooting Investigation

Mobile, AL (BuzzReport) — A Prichard police officer connected to a fatal shooting investigation in Mobile was arrested Thursday after a grand jury returned a secret indictment accusing him of possessing stolen firearms, authorities said.

According to the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced that Officer Ryan Phillips has been indicted on three counts of second-degree receiving stolen property involving a firearm. Officials confirmed that Phillips was taken into custody Thursday after law enforcement executed an arrest warrant tied to the indictment.

The charges stem from an investigation connected to a fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 12 in the city of Mobile. Officers with the Mobile Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Wesley Avenue. During their investigation at the scene, authorities recovered 14 firearms, several of which had previously been reported stolen, according to officials.

Investigators say the case remains active as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of 44-year-old Sanjuanita Coronado. Officials have not released additional details about how the weapons are connected to the shooting, but prosecutors said the evidence gathered during the investigation prompted the grand jury to move forward with charges against Phillips.

Blackwood said the decision to pursue the indictment was made because Phillips is currently serving as a sworn officer with the City of Prichard Police Department.

“The badge represents public trust,” Blackwood said in a statement. “When evidence shows that someone in a position of public trust may have violated the law, we have a duty to act immediately. These charges reflect the evidence presented to the Grand Jury, and the case will now proceed through the Alabama criminal justice system.”

The district attorney also praised the Mobile Police Department for its investigative work, noting that the department’s efforts were instrumental in presenting evidence to the grand jury that led to the indictment.

Court officials said a judge set Phillips’ bond at $15,000 for each of the three charges, totaling $45,000.

Authorities have not said whether Phillips has been placed on administrative leave or suspended from duty by the Prichard Police Department.

Meanwhile, the investigation into Coronado’s death remains ongoing, and officials say additional details may be released as the case develops.

The BuzzReport will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available in this developing investigation.