Former Florissant, Missouri, police officer Julian Alcala admitted in federal court that he used his position to illegally search the mobile phones of multiple women for nude images during traffic stops, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.
Between February and May 2024, Alcala stopped 20 women while in his police vehicle, citing reasons such as verifying insurance or vehicle registration. He then took their phones without a warrant or probable cause and accessed personal photos, including nude images of the victims or their acquaintances, which he photographed or sent to himself.
During Alcala’s hearing in St. Louis, it was revealed that his actions violated the constitutional right against unreasonable searches and seizures. He pleaded guilty to 20 counts of deprivation of rights under color of law. The case also included an instance in which Alcala sent a video from one victim’s phone to himself, a violation that came to light after the victim reported it to the FBI, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Julian Alcala, 30, faces potential penalties of up to one year in prison for each count, along with fines of up to $100,000, or a combination of prison time and fines. His sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2026.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Krug is prosecuting the case. Following a victim’s report, the FBI investigated and recovered additional evidence from Alcala’s personal cell phone and cloud storage, showing that he violated the privacy of 19 more women.
