United States Drug Enforcement Administration

(MONTGOMERY, Ala.) - - Shedrick D. Hollis, 40, of Phenix City, was sentenced on August 11, 2013 to 35 years in prison for drug trafficking and weapons possession charges.

On March 14, 2013, Hollis was convicted of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine powder, crack cocaine, (a club drug similar to Ecstasy) and marijuana, and of possession of firearms furtherance of his drug trafficking activity.  United States District Judge W. Keith Watkins sentenced Hollis to a term of 30 years in prison his conviction of possession with intent to distribute cocaine powder, crack cocaine, BZP and marijuana.  Judge Watkins further ordered that Hollis be imprisoned for an additional 5 years imprisonment for possession of firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activity.

Testimony at trial established that in late February, 2011, the United States Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task (GCRFT) received a request to assist in locating and arresting Hollis for violations of his parole out of Georgia.  The GCRFT and DEA Montgomery learned that Hollis was in a rented vehicle which was located at a residence in Phenix City, Alabama.  On March 1, 2011, the GCRFT went to the residence, saw the rented car, identified themselves as law enforcement, and knocked on the door.  Officers saw Hollis through a window beside the front door and ordered Hollis to open the door.  When Hollis did not open the door, the front door of the residence was breached and Hollis was arrested.

After the arrest, officers conducted a protective sweep of the residence to insure that no one else was present in the house to endanger the officers’ safety.  During the protective sweep, officers located a loaded shotgun and rifle, as well as a plastic bag containing a large amount of marijuana and scales.  Officers then obtained a search warrant in order to conduct a complete search of the residence. During the search, officers and agents located a large amount of cocaine powder, bags of crack cocaine, bags of pills which were later determined to be BZP, bags of marijuana, scales containing cocaine and marijuana residue, and $5,000 in cash. 

“The combined efforts of law enforcement agencies and the United States Attorney’s Office in the Middle District of Alabama have removed an armed drug trafficker from our community,” stated Clay X. Morris, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for Alabama.  “This investigation and subsequent sentencing of Hollis will send a clear message to the criminal elements that your actions will not be tolerated.” 

“This sentence shows that drug dealers who spread their poison to members of this community will be severely punished,” stated U.S. Attorney Beck.  “My office will continue to do all we can under the law to rid our communities of these toxic substances.  Also, when you combine drug dealing with firearms, you get a particularly dangerous situation that we will continue to work tirelessly to stop.”

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Metro Narcotics Task Force, with the aid of the Russell County Sheriff’s Department, the Phenix City Police, the United States Marshals Service and the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Susan R. Redmond and Jared Morris.

Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.