Matthew Pohl

Captain • St. Clair County Sheriff's Office

Road Patrol Division

Active
Status
Compromised
Credibility

Credibility Compromised

Testified to deleting text messages; friend of arrestee (per deposition)

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Overview

Captain who was tasked with conducting the internal investigation into the Sheriff’s brother’s drunk driving arrest—despite being close friends with the arrestee. Under oath, Pohl admitted to deleting text messages related to the incident. He also texted a former deputy about the arrest within hours of it occurring, demonstrating how quickly word spread through informal channels rather than proper procedures.

Background

Role in Key Incidents

Captain Matthew Pohl is a Captain with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office. He is a close personal friend of Marc King .

November 2022 OWI Incident

Captain Pohl was involved in the aftermath of Marc King ’s OWI arrest:

  • Mat King contacted Captain Pohl on the day of the arrest
  • Captain Pohl was involved in post-arrest communications
  • Despite his close friendship with the arrestee, he participated in internal handling of the matter

Evidence Spoliation

In sworn testimony, Captain Pohl admitted to deleting text messages relevant to the incident:

  • Text messages from the period surrounding the arrest were deleted
  • These communications were relevant to a foreseeable legal matter
  • No litigation hold was in place to preserve evidence
  • The deletion occurred despite the obvious need to preserve records

Credibility Assessment

FactorAssessment
Relationship to ArresteeClose Friend
Evidence HandlingDeleted Texts
NeutralityCompromised

The deletion of relevant communications exposes Captain Pohl and the department to:

  • Adverse inference (courts may assume deleted evidence was unfavorable)
  • Discovery sanctions in ongoing litigation
  • Potential evidence tampering concerns under MCL 750.491
  • Public integrity investigation referral

Deposition

Captain Pohl provided sworn testimony regarding these events. His deposition is available for review.

Incident Involvement

Investigator

Conducted internal investigation despite friendship with arrestee

Documented Concerns

  • • Deleted text messages (admitted under oath)
  • • Close friend of person he was investigating
  • • Texted former deputy about arrest within hours

Depositions

Pohl deposition

Credibility Assessment

Credibility Compromised

Admitted under oath to deleting text messages. Friends with the arrestee he was supposed to be objectively investigating.

Evidence handling Deleted text messages (sworn testimony)
Neutrality Compromised
Relationship to arrestee Close Friend

Employment

Department
St. Clair County Sheriff's Office
Division
Road Patrol Division

Connections

MK

Marc King

Close friend (admitted under oath)

Social

Also Mentioned In

Deputy Marc King OWI Arrest and Cover-Up

Incident • Command involved

Captain Matthew Pohl Deposition

Deposition • Deponent

Jones v. St. Clair County, et al.

Litigation • Defendant

Tags

captain investigator evidence-spoliation conflict-of-interest
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