April 28, 2026

Holeman Correctional Center Visitor Charged with Drugs, Cellphones, Other Crimes

By J. Thomas Wade
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

April 28, 2026

ATMORE, Ala. A man is facing multiple serious charges after authorities say he tried to smuggle drugs and other contraband into an Alabama prison.

The individual, now identified by Alabama Department of Corrections as Horace Laster was visiting an inmate when officers searched him and discovered a large amount of contraband.

Authorities say that the agency’s Southern K-9 Unit stopped the attempt on Saturday around 12:30 p.m. at Holman Correctional Facility.

Laster had been visiting Akeem Prewitt, who is serving a 40-year sentence for murder out of Tuscaloosa County.

Authorities say the search turned up a variety of illegal items, including drugs and electronic devices. Seized items included 35 buprenorphine strips, three cell phones, a SIM card, about 66 grams of marijuana, roughly 140 grams of methamphetamine, and about 14 grams of fentanyl.

Laster was immediately arrested and now faces a long list of charges including trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking fentanyl, promoting prison contraband (first and second degree), unlawful possession of a controlled substance, first-degree marijuana possession, prohibited activities, and attempting to commit a controlled substance crime.

Laster was arrested at the scene and taken to the Escambia County Detention Facility.