Dothan, Alabama — A retired Alabama state trooper, Chad McKenzie Claybrook, was arrested on March 10, 2025, on charges of possessing obscene material depicting a minor. The 46-year-old Claybrook, who had recently retired from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), was taken into custody just ten days after his departure from the agency.
Claybrook was booked at the Talladega County Jail and later released on a $7,500 bond. The arrest stems from allegations that Claybrook “knowingly possessed a visual depiction of a person under the age of 17,” according to the arrest records.
The investigation into Claybrook began in early December 2024, prompting ALEA to place him on administrative leave. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Digital Forensic Unit assisted in the criminal investigation, which eventually led to the charges against the former trooper.
In February 2025, ALEA initiated the process of terminating Claybrook from the force. However, he retired on March 1, just days before his scheduled termination hearing, leaving the agency to proceed with an investigation into the matter.
The arrest of Claybrook has raised serious concerns, particularly regarding the integrity of law enforcement officers and their role in the community. ALEA has assured the public that they are fully cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation and are committed to holding those accountable who violate the trust of the public.
