Public safety

News / Public safety

Pickens County Sheriff to plead guilty to wire fraud and tax charges

Friday a federal indictment was unsealed against Pickens County Sheriff David Eugene Abston (R). Also that same day a plea agreement was filed and Abston resigned as Sheriff after forty years in law enforcement. The federal indictments for wire fraud and filing false tax returns were announced U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, FBI Special Agent … Continued

Brandon Moseley

June 14, 2019

Ivey signs civil asset forfeiture law

On Monday afternoon, Gov. Ivey signed into law the Alabama Forfeiture Information Reporting Act, which will shine a light on law enforcement’s often secretive use of civil forfeiture. Senate Bill 191, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, passed both the House and Senate unanimously during this year’s legislative session. Civil forfeiture is a practice that … Continued

Evan Mealins

June 13, 2019

Alabama House Judiciary Chairman Jim Hill says a “multi-prong” approach needed on prisons

There is a general belief among lawmakers that Gov. Kay Ivey will call a Special Legislative Session sometime in the fall to address the state’s failed prisons. The real need, as many see, is not just building new facilities but also enacting sweeping justice reforms that impact the front end of the prison system. House … Continued

Bill Britt

June 12, 2019

Governor signs bill reforming Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation Thursday that will reform the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. House Bill 380 is designed to increase the efficiency of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. This bill creates a Director of Pardons and Paroles, appointed by the governor, and provides strict rules and guidelines to … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

June 7, 2019

Alabama executes Christopher Lee Price

Thursday, the state of Alabama executed Christopher Lee Price by lethal injection for the 1991 murder of 57-year-old Pastor Bill Lynn with a sword. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey released a statement after being notified that the sentence had been carried out. “Ensuring the safety of the people who call Alabama home is of the highest … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 31, 2019

Civil asset forfeiture bill passes House, but is it enough?

On Thursday, the Alabama House passed Senate Bill 191 that would increase transparency around civil asset forfeiture in the state. It now moves to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk for approval. “SB 191’s passage is a good first step toward bringing more transparency to Alabama’s civil asset forfeiture practices,” said Robyn Hyden, executive director of Alabama … Continued

Evan Mealins

May 31, 2019

Two men indicted for fake invoice scheme against Birmingham Water Works Board

A federal grand jury indicted two men Thursday on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Jerry Jones, former vice president of Birmingham engineering and consulting firm Arcadis, and Mount Vernon Mayor Terry Williams were indicted for conspiring between December 2014 and January 2016 to create false invoices and submitting them for … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

May 31, 2019

Shelby, Cotton, Byrne introduce No Leniency for Terrorists Act

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby joined Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, to unveil legislation that would make anyone convicted of a terrorist offense ineligible for early release from federal prison for “good behavior” on Thursday. U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. This action is in response to the early release … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 28, 2019

House passes bill to make the pictures of those convicted of solicitation public

Wednesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at shaming men and women arrested of trying to hire a prostitute. House Bill 262 was sponsored by State Representative Merika Coleman, D-Midfield. Coleman is the assistant House Minority Leader and a longtime member of the state’s Human Trafficking task force. According to a statement … Continued

Brandon Moseley

May 23, 2019

Alabama Department of Corrections releases strategic plan

The Alabama Department of Corrections is pleased to share its 2019-2022 Strategic Plan, which will serve as an actionable road map to reverse long-established, negative trends and to transform corrections in Alabama. The plan outlines concentrated efforts over the next three years in four strategic focus areas: staffing, infrastructure, programming and culture. “We recognize the … Continued

May 23, 2019