FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
February 8, 2017
For More Information, contact:
Luther Strange
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Alabama Attorney General
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
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AG STRANGE ANNOUNCES ARREST OF FORMER CLANTON POLICE
CHIEF FOR MULTIPLE COUNTS OF THEFT, FRAUDULENT USE OF A
CREDIT CARD, USING HIS OFFICIAL POSITION FOR PERSONAL GAIN
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Luther Strange announced the Monday arrest
of a former Clanton police chief on two separate indictments charging a total of 12 felonies.
These include multiple charges of theft of property, fraudulent use of a credit card and use of
his official position for personal gain. Brian Alan Stilwell surrendered to the Chilton County
Sheriff’s Office and was released on $10,000 bond.
Attorney General Strange’s Criminal Trials Division presented evidence to a Chilton
County grand jury on February 2, resulting in the two indictments* against Stilwell.
Specifically, the two indictments charge Stilwell with two counts of theft of property in the
first-degree, nine counts of fraudulent use of a credit/debit card, and one count of using his
official position for personal gain.
In one indictment, Stilwell is accused of taking money from the local Chilton County
chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police by taking the organization’s bank debit card without
proper authorization and using the funds for his personal gain. In the second indictment,
Stilwell is accused of using his position as chief of police to unlawfully take money, which
had been condemned and forfeited to the city for law enforcement purposes, from the
Clanton Police Department.
“Citizens should be able to expect that law enforcement officers will be upstanding
pillars of their community and to trust that they will undertake their public duties with
integrity,” said Attorney General Strange. “Where there are allegations of serious
wrongdoing, this office will act strongly to defend the public interest and provide justice for
Alabamians.”
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501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us Page 2 of 2
The alleged crimes occurred between 2010 and 2015, when Stilwell was police chief of
Clanton and treasurer of the Chilton County FOP. He was placed on leave when he was
arrested on April 28, 2015. On October 16, 2016, his contract was not renewed. The case was
subsequently presented to a grand jury this month, resulting in the current indictment.
No further information about the investigation or about the defendant’s alleged crimes
other than that stated in the indictments may be released at this time.
If Stilwell is convicted, the potential penalties are two to 20 years for each count of
theft of property in the first-degree, a class B felony; two to 20 years for each count of use of
official position for personal gain, a class B felony; and one to 10 years for each count of
fraudulent use of a credit/debit card, a class C felony.
Attorney General Strange commended Assistant Attorney General John Kachelman of
his Criminal Trials Division and thanked Special Agents of the Alabama Law Enforcement
Agency for their assistance in the investigation and the arrest in this case.
*An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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