A former officer from the Centre Police Department has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for his involvement in a scheme to falsify drug arrests. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
Michael Kilgore, 40, of Centre, Alabama, received a 48-month prison sentence from Chief U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor. In November 2024, Kilgore pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine.
Court documents and the plea agreement indicate that Kilgore’s actions began in January 2023 after he stopped a car and found drugs inside. He offered the driver an opportunity to avoid charges by cooperating with him. The driver agreed and later became involved as a co-conspirator in the scheme.
Together, Kilgore and his co-conspirator arranged for a package containing methamphetamine, oxycodone, and marijuana to be placed on the undercarriage of another vehicle. On January 31, 2023, Kilgore conducted a staged traffic stop on this vehicle and located the drugs where they had been planted. Both the driver and passenger were detained for possession.
The plan was intended to continue with another vehicle; however, after purchasing more drugs for planting, Kilgore’s co-conspirator disposed of them and reported the scheme to law enforcement authorities.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Janich.
