FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
August 28, 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 Prison Sentence for Former Clanton Police
Chief Stilwell for Ethics Violation, Fraudulent Use of Credit Card
(MONTGOMERY)–Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that former Clanton Police
Chief Brian Allan Stilwell was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for his conviction of an ethics
violation and fraudulent use of a credit card. Circuit Judge Ben Fuller ordered the prison sentence to
be split so that Stilwell will serve three years in prison first, followed by five years of probation.
Stilwell received the same concurrent sentences for both convictions.
In April, Stilwell pled guilty in the midst of trial in Chilton County. During the trial, Attorney
General Marshall’s Criminal Trials Division presented evidence against Stilwell showing he used a
debit card of the local Chilton County chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police for unauthorized and
personal purchases of more than $2,600. The primary use of the FOP’s funds was for its Operation
Santa Claus program to provide presents for needy children; the evidence presented at trial showed
that his purchases reduced the amount of money available for this benevolent program. Evidence was
also presented that during the investigation of the FOP case, it was learned that Stilwell used his
position as Chief of Police to unlawfully take more than $10,000 from the Clanton Police Department
which had been condemned and forfeited to the city for law enforcement purposes. Stilwell’s crimes
occurred between 2010 and 2015, when he was Chief of Police of Clanton and treasurer of the Chilton
County FOP.
“This prison sentence serves as a firm reminder that justice will be served and lawbreakers
will be held to account regardless of their position,” said Attorney General Marshall. “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. 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, restore some of their faith in law enforcement, and 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.”
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
