MACON COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) - The Alabama Department of Corrections and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, alongside several partner agencies, took down two separate operations related to prison contraband and narcotics distribution, which resulted in six arrests.

The contraband case began Nov. 12, 2025, when officials discovered an attempted introduction of contraband at St. Clair Correctional Facility. Investigators identified James McKenzie III and Jamond Lawrence, both of Tuskegee, as suspects.

During the investigation, authorities recovered cell phones, knives, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids and methamphetamine. On Jan. 30, law enforcement executed arrest and search warrants at a home on County Road 37 in Tuskegee. McKenzie and Lawrence were taken into custody. The search yielded illegal narcotics, two firearms (one equipped with a machine gun conversion device), and items used to facilitate prison contraband.

In a separate investigation, the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force and ALEA SWAT executed a search warrant at a residence on County Road 60 in Notasulga.

The operation resulted in four arrests:

• Michael Terrell Thomas of Tuskegee — charged with first-degree possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and attempting to elude law enforcement on foot.
• Keandre Moss of Tuskegee — charged with possession of a controlled substance.
• Javious Piner of Tuskegee — charged with possession of a controlled substance and first-degree possession of marijuana with a prior conviction.
• Kristan Ledbetter of Tallassee — charged with second-degree possession of marijuana.

All six individuals were booked into Macon County Jail. Bonds in connection with the prison contraband investigation were set in St. Clair County.

The investigations remain ongoing.

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