Prichard Police Officer Busted; Sheriff’s Office Takes Over Law Enforcement Operations

PRICHARD, Ala. (BuzzReport) — A federal investigation has uncovered allegations of corruption within the Prichard Police Department, resulting in the arrest of a veteran police officer and prompting an unprecedented transfer of law enforcement responsibilities within the city.

During a news conference held Tuesday morning, federal, state, and local authorities announced the arrest of Prichard Police Officer Emanuel Naman Dotch II on federal charges stemming from an ongoing corruption investigation.

According to investigators, Dotch is accused of accepting bribes, concealing evidence, and assisting criminal suspects in efforts to cover up crimes and evade prosecution. Officials allege his actions compromised criminal investigations and undermined public trust in law enforcement.

Authorities said Dotch was taken into custody without incident Tuesday morning by members of the U.S. Marshals Service. He was later booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail at approximately 3:43 p.m., according to jail records.

The investigation involves multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations. Officials did not disclose how long the investigation has been underway or whether additional arrests are expected.

In a significant development, Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced that, effective immediately, all criminal investigations within the City of Prichard will be handled by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch further announced that all law enforcement-related 911 calls originating from Prichard would be redirected to the Sheriff’s Office as authorities work to ensure continued public safety and maintain the integrity of ongoing investigations.

The extraordinary move signals the seriousness of the allegations and the concerns raised by investigators regarding operations within the Prichard Police Department.

On Tuesday morning, crime scene tape was visible around portions of the Prichard Municipal Complex as investigators continued their work. Officials have not publicly detailed what evidence was being collected or whether additional areas were being searched.

Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing. Investigators are encouraging members of the public who may have information related to criminal activity, corruption, or misconduct connected to the case to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line at 251-574-8633 or the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Federal and local officials stated that additional information may be released as the investigation progresses.

As of Tuesday evening, no further details regarding the specific federal charges against Dotch or potential additional suspects had been announced.