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K-9 units foil smuggling of cellphones, knives and drugs into Ala. prisons

One suspect was caught outside Ventress Correctional Facility with 31 phones, 13 knives and drugs, while another at Easterling had meth, marijuana and five phones

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Kevin Harris of Fairfield, and Travis Reese, of Montgomery, were arrested in separate incidents at different prisons on Feb. 16, 2025. . Among the items Reese was trying to smuggle into Ventress Correctional Facility, charging documents state, were 31 cell phones and 13 Knives.

Carol Robinson/TNS

By Carol Robinson
al.com

CLAYTON, Ala. — Two men are under arrest after authorities say they tried to smuggle contraband into Alabama prisons.

Kevin Harris, of Fairfield, and Travis Reese, of Montgomery, were arrested in separate incidents at different prisons on Sunday.

Among the items Reese was trying to smuggle into Ventress Correctional Facility, charging documents state, were 31 cell phones and 13 knives.

The Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division and its K-9 teams thwarted both incidents, ADOC officials said.

The first incident happened about 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Easterling Correctional Facility in Clio.


In the video below, Gordon Graham discusses how to combat contraband in correctional facilities.


Officers received information regarding a possible trespasser. The K-9 team responded and found Harris in possession of five cell phones, marijuana and methamphetamine.

Harris was taken into custody and charged with first-degree possession of marijuana, first-degree promoting prison contraband, trespassing and methamphetamine trafficking.

Less than two hours later, ADOC officials said, K-9 officers were made aware of a possible trespasser at Ventress Correctional Facility, which is in Clayton.

Investigators recovered 31 cell phones, 13 knives, methamphetamine and marijuana.

Reese was arrested and charged with first-degree promoting prison contraband, second-degree promoting prison contraband, trespassing, methamphetamine trafficking and marijuana trafficking.

Both men were booked into the Barbour County Jail.

The investigations are ongoing, and more charges could be filed.

“The ADOC remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of its facilities and will continue to use all available resources to prevent the introduction of illegal contraband into its facilities,’’ said Commissioner John Q. Hamm.

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