Mobile DA

Today is not a day that brings anyone in law enforcement satisfaction. It is, however, a step toward repairing the trust that has been broken between the citizens of Prichard and the Prichard Police Department.

Yesterday, I convened a Special Mobile County Grand Jury that returned indictments against Prichard Police Chief Walter Knight and Major Aaron Tucker following an ongoing investigation by my office into alleged misconduct within the Prichard Police Department.

In addition to the indictments, the Grand Jury issued a public report recommending significant reforms, including the removal of the police chief and the rebuilding of the department using nationally recognized accreditation standards.

I have provided copies of the Grand Jury's findings and recommendations to every member of the Prichard City Council. The decisions that come next belong to the elected leaders of the City of Prichard. The recommendations made by the Grand Jury are extraordinary, but so are the circumstances that led to them.

To the citizens of Prichard, I want to say this directly: You deserve a police department that is professional, accountable, and worthy of the tremendous public trust placed in every law enforcement officer. That is not too much to ask.

This investigation is not over. These indictments represent the evidence developed to this point. In the interest of public safety and maintaining confidence in our justice system, we believed it was important to present that evidence now rather than wait until every aspect of this investigation was complete.

The investigation remains active, and today's actions are not the end of this process. We remain committed to supporting the citizens of Prichard every step of the way.

Read the full news release and the Special Grand Jury's recommendations here: https://mobileda.org/special-mobile-county-grand-jury-returns-indictments-and-issues-sweeping-recommendations-following-investigation-into-prichard-police-department/

Protecting our community requires more than enforcing the law. It requires continually looking for better ways to administer justice.

Today, District Attorney Keith Blackwood announced Alabama's first Repeat Violent Offender Docket will begin August 1. This first-of-its-kind docket assigns qualifying repeat violent offender cases to one judge with the goal of bringing them to trial within one year of arrest.

When someone has already been convicted of a serious violent offense and is accused of committing another violent crime, we owe it to victims, to law enforcement, and to the people of Mobile County to ensure those cases receive the focused attention they deserve.

Read the full announcement: https://mobileda.org/district-attorney-keith-blackwood-announces-alabamas-first-repeat-violent-offender-docket/

We are proud to share that Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood has been named the 2026 District Attorney of the Year by the Alabama District Attorneys Association.

The award recognizes outstanding leadership, service to the profession, and a steadfast commitment to justice.

Since taking office in 2023, DA Blackwood and the team at the Mobile County District Attorney's Office have eliminated the COVID-era case backlog, significantly reduced the office's pending caseload, implemented the Helping Families Initiative—resulting in a 66% reduction in truancy and a 59% reduction in chronic absenteeism—helped expand Drug Court and reinstate Veterans Court, secured additional public safety funding, successfully advocated for legislation to strengthen Alabama's mandatory reporting law and improve public safety, and worked every day to build a stronger, safer Mobile County.

"This isn't an individual award—it's a reflection of the incredible people I have the privilege of serving alongside every day," Blackwood said. "I'm honored to work with a team that is passionate about serving victims, pursuing justice, and making Mobile County a safer place."

Congratulations to DA Keith Blackwood on this well-deserved recognition!

More details - https://mobileda.org/district-attorney-keith-blackwood-named-alabama-district-attorneys-associations-district-attorney-of-the-year/

***Lemanda Jackson has been found and is safely back with her family. Many thanks to our followers as well as media for assisting us with information so we could locate her.

MCSO needs your help in locating Lemanda Jackson. Lemanda is 39 years old and was last spoken to by a friend on Friday, June 26, 2026.

Lemanda Jackson lives in the area of W Clark Avenue in Prichard, Alabama.

If anyone has any information as to her whereabouts, please contact the Mobile County Sheriff's Office 251-574-8633. You may also go to our website, www.mobileso.com/crimetips/ and provide information there as well.

Former Faith Academy guidance counselor Carrie Meredith was sentenced today following her conviction for Failure to Report.

The State recommended a jail sentence and the defense asked for a fine only. Judge Pipes sentenced Meredith to six months in Mobile Metro Jail suspended for six months of formal probation and a $500 fine.

This case was always about protecting children and ensuring that adults entrusted with their care fulfill their legal responsibilities. Mandatory reporting laws exist because children often cannot protect themselves. The responsibility of a mandatory reporter is not to determine whether abuse occurred, but to report concerns so trained professionals can investigate. When that process breaks down, children are placed at risk.

Meredith was originally convicted in Mobile County District Court for failing to report alleged sexual misconduct involving a teacher and student as required under Alabama law. She appealed that conviction to Mobile County Circuit Court, where a jury heard the evidence and found her guilty.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Meredith, a mandatory reporter under Alabama law, received information regarding inappropriate conduct involving a teacher and a student but failed to make the required report to the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).

Under Alabama law, teachers, counselors, and other designated professionals are mandatory reporters and are required to report alleged child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities so trained investigators can assess and protect the welfare of children.

This case prompted my office to work with lawmakers to amend Alabama's mandatory reporting statute surrounding a mandatory reporter's duty to act.

Effective October 1, 2026, amendments to the law emphasize that mandatory reporters must report not only when they know or suspect abuse or neglect, but also when they receive information that would lead a reasonable person to believe a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect. The amendments also require a written report within 72 hours of an initial oral report and establish enhanced penalties for repeat violations of the mandatory reporting statute.

These changes reinforce a simple principle: when it comes to protecting children—report.

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The State of Alabama was represented by Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Susman, Assistant District Attorneys Clay Rossi and Chris McDonough, and Trial Coordinator Josie Sheaffer.

It was an honor to attend the renaming ceremony of Semmes Fire Station #1 in memory of the late Fire Chief Kevin Brooks this morning.

Now known as K.F. Brooks Central Station, the facility serves as a tribute to a great man whose leadership helped shape the community he loved.

His legacy will live on for generations to come.

Andre Landrum has been sentenced to two Life sentences following his convictions for R**e First Degree and Burglary First Degree as well as 30 years in prison for R**e Second Degree.

His convictions stem from a 1997 cold case. DNA evidence collected at the time of the crime ultimately led investigators to Landrum decades later, resulting in his conviction and sentencing.

"This case demonstrates that time does not erase responsibility. We will continue pursuing justice for victims no matter how many years have passed." – District Attorney Keith Blackwood

Read the full release: https://mobileda.org/andre-landrum-sentenced-in-1997-cold-case-rape/

Jaymon Johnson has been sentenced to 25 years in prison following his convictions for Murder, Attempted Murder, Assault First Degree, Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, and two counts of Reckless Endangerment stemming from a deadly 2023 drive-by shooting that claimed the life of Dajarra Jackson.

A Mobile County jury previously found Johnson guilty on all counts after evidence showed he opened fire on a vehicle occupied by several juveniles, killing Jackson and injuring a 15-year-old victim.

"Dajarra Jackson lost her life because of a senseless act of violence, and several young people were placed directly in harm's way," said District Attorney Keith Blackwood.
Read the full release

Full details: https://mobileda.org/jaymon-johnson-sentenced-following-his-convictions-in-deadly-2023-drive-by-shooting/

Pursuant to the authority granted under Alabama law, I have requested that Sheriff Paul Burch and the Mobile County Sheriff's Office assume responsibility for investigating crimes within the City of Prichard. As part of that effort, evidence currently in the custody of the Prichard Police Department will be cataloged and transferred to the Mobile County Sheriff's Office for review and preservation.

There are dozens of state criminal cases that may be directly affected by the conduct alleged against Prichard Police Officer Emmanuel Dotch, and the broader impact extends to cases pending throughout the City of Prichard. My office is actively reviewing those matters alongside the Sheriff's Office, the Mayor of Prichard, and our state and federal law enforcement partners to determine the appropriate course of action in each case.

My office is also examining previously dismissed cases that may have been impacted by the alleged conduct. Where the facts and law support further action, we will take the appropriate legal steps.

The people of Prichard deserve a law enforcement community they can trust. Our priority is ensuring that legitimate cases move forward, victims are not forgotten, and the integrity of the criminal justice system is maintained.