FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
April 19, 2018
For More Information, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Steve Marshall
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Page 1 of 1
Alabama Attorney General
AG STEVE MARSHALL ANNOUNCES FELONY CONVICTIONS
OF FORMER CLANTON POLICE CHIEF FOR ETHICS
VIOLATION, FRAUDULENT USE OF A CREDIT CARD
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the conviction of a former
Clanton police chief for violation of the ethics law and fraudulent use of a credit card. In the midst of
a trial that began on Monday, Brian Allan Stilwell this afternoon pleaded guilty to the felony charges.
During the trial, Attorney General Marshall’s Criminal Trials Division presented evidence that
Stilwell took money from the local Chilton County chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police by using
the organization’s bank debit card without proper authorization and using the funds for his personal
gain. The primary use of the FOP’s funds was for its Operation Santa Claus program to provide
presents for needy children. Evidence was also presented that he used 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.
The crimes occurred between 2010 and 2015, when Stilwell was police chief of Clanton and
treasurer of the Chilton County FOP. The Attorney General’s Criminal Trials Division presented
evidence to a Chilton County grand jury resulting in his indictment on February 2, 2017.
“When a police chief breaks the law it is a terrible betrayal that cuts deeply into the trust of the
citizens he was sworn to protect and of his fellow law enforcement officers,” said Attorney General
Marshall. “In this case, the law enforcement community of Clanton and Chilton County came
together and stood shoulder to shoulder with us to bring justice to their people, to restore their faith,
and to hold Brian Stilwell to account for his crimes. I am proud of the outstanding work by my
Criminal Trials Division and everyone who assisted to bring this case to a successful conclusion.”
Sentencing is set for August 28 at 9 a.m. Stilwell faces penalties of two to 20 years for the ethics
conviction for use of official position for personal gain, a class B felony; and one to 10 years for
fraudulent use of a credit/debit card, a class C felony.
Attorney General Marshall commended Assistant Attorneys General John Kachelman III and
Chris Moore of his Criminal Trials Division. He thanked the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the
Clanton Police Department, the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office and the Chilton County District
Attorney’s Office for invaluable assistance.
–30 –
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.state.al.us
