Jefferson County Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Smuggle Controlled Substances into William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility

BIRMINGHAM, Ala – A federal judge sentenced a Birmingham-area man for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle methamphetamine and heroin into the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Hofer.  

U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Adam Demond Andrews, 35, of Birmingham, to 132 months in in prison. In February 2024, Andrews pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including methamphetamine and heroin. 

According to the plea agreement, Andrews repeatedly smuggled controlled substances and other contraband into Alabama Department of Corrections (“ADOC”) facilities. 

On March 20, 2022, ADOC received information that individuals were trespassing on state property at Donaldson Correctional Facility. ADOC officers responded to the area and observed four suspects on the southwest side of the facility. After being confronted by ADOC officers, the people dropped multiple bags containing contraband on the ground and fled into a wooded area near the facility. The bags contained 60.71 grams of a mixture containing a detectable amount of heroin, cocaine, fentanyl, and Delta-Nine-Tetrahydrocannabinol, and 1406.1 grams of methamphetamine. ADOC officers also recovered a pistol, ammunition, an extended magazine, pocketknives, a canister of pepper spray, prescription medication used to treat opioid use disorder, marijuana, THC gummies, cell phones, cell phone chargers, cell phone cables, a mobile hotspot, memory cards, SIM cards, scales, lighters, cigarillos, cigar wrappers, shoes, jewelry, and watches. Later that same day, ADOC officers apprehended Andrews near the entrance to Donaldson.

The charges against Andrews are related to a larger investigation into fraud and corruption at Donaldson. Link to the related cases:  https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndal/pr/member-gangster-disciples-sentenced-235-months-prison-role-wide-ranging-prison-based

The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated the case against Andrews with assistance of the U.S. Secret Service and ADOC’s Law Enforcement Services Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward J. Canter and John M. Hundscheid prosecuted the case.