A Prichard police officer charged with first-degree theft by deception and use of position for personal gain pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Thursday.
A criminal complaint filed by the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office alleges that Michael Knight used his position as a police officer from approximately January 2022 through December 2025 to obtain paid private security employment he would not have been eligible for without his official law enforcement status.
Prosecutors also allege Knight falsely represented that he was performing his official duties during times when he was providing private security services.
Knight is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 22.
How Alabama’s Preliminary Hearings Work
At a preliminary hearing in Alabama, a district court judge determines whether there is probable cause to believe the defendant committed the charged offense. If the judge finds probable cause, the case is bound over to a grand jury, which decides whether to return an indictment.
Case Tied to Broader Prichard Corruption Probe
The charges against Knight come amid a broader corruption investigation that has upended the Prichard Police Department in recent weeks. A special Mobile County grand jury has separately indicted several current and former officers, including former Chief Walter Knight, on unrelated misconduct allegations, and recommended the city abolish and rebuild the department entirely. It was not immediately clear whether Michael Knight is related to former Chief Walter Knight.
Under Alabama law, first-degree theft by deception is a Class B felony that can apply when someone obtains property or services through false pretenses, while misuse of official position for personal gain covers public employees who exploit their government role for private benefit. Both charges carry the possibility of significant prison time upon conviction, though as with any criminal case, Knight is presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the allegations in court.
The case adds to a difficult stretch for Prichard’s police force, which has seen its ranks and public standing shaken by a series of arrests this summer. City officials, including Mayor Carletta Davis, have said they are working to determine the department’s long-term future while the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office continues to handle day-to-day patrol duties in the city under a temporary arrangement.
