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United States of America v. Samdrekus Eugene Bester
Date: 06-12-2026
Case Number: 23-cr-00320
Judge: Madeline H. Haikala
Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Jefferson County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Brittany T. Byrd and Benjamin A. Keown, Sr.
Defendant's Attorney: Justin K Forrester
Description:
Birmingham, Alabama, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Reported by Kent Morlan
Samdrekus Eugene Bester, 43, was serving a life sentence inside the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) for a 2016 murder he committed in Jefferson County. While inside ADOC, Bester used a contraband cell phone to coordinate the sale of methamphetamine in December 2022 and January 2023. Specifically, Bester arranged for the sale of over 10 pounds of methamphetamine, which the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recovered. Bester used females on the outside to facilitate his drug trafficking operation. The DEA recovered over 20 pounds of methamphetamine from a co-defendant’s home. Throughout December 2022 and January 2023, Bester facilitated the possession and distribution of 165 pounds of methamphetamine throughout the greater Birmingham metro area.
“Despite being imprisoned for murder, the defendant continued to endanger our communities through drug trafficking. This guilty verdict sends a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated behind prison walls or anywhere else,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “I commend the dedicated collaboration of our law enforcement partners in bringing this defendant to justice.”
“Drug trafficking is a scourge on our communities, and we will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who engage in drug trafficking are held accountable for their actions, even if they are already incarcerated,” said Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Byrd.
“This conviction demonstrates the reach of our federal and state law enforcement partnership,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott. “Even from behind bars, this individual continued to pose a grave danger to our community by orchestrating a large-scale drug trafficking operation. We are committed to dismantling these criminal networks, regardless of where the coordinators are located, and holding them fully accountable for the devastation they bring to the Birmingham area.”
The DEA investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department, Hoover Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Reported by Kent Morlan
Samdrekus Eugene Bester, 43, was serving a life sentence inside the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) for a 2016 murder he committed in Jefferson County. While inside ADOC, Bester used a contraband cell phone to coordinate the sale of methamphetamine in December 2022 and January 2023. Specifically, Bester arranged for the sale of over 10 pounds of methamphetamine, which the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recovered. Bester used females on the outside to facilitate his drug trafficking operation. The DEA recovered over 20 pounds of methamphetamine from a co-defendant’s home. Throughout December 2022 and January 2023, Bester facilitated the possession and distribution of 165 pounds of methamphetamine throughout the greater Birmingham metro area.
“Despite being imprisoned for murder, the defendant continued to endanger our communities through drug trafficking. This guilty verdict sends a clear message that criminal activity will not be tolerated behind prison walls or anywhere else,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “I commend the dedicated collaboration of our law enforcement partners in bringing this defendant to justice.”
“Drug trafficking is a scourge on our communities, and we will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who engage in drug trafficking are held accountable for their actions, even if they are already incarcerated,” said Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Byrd.
“This conviction demonstrates the reach of our federal and state law enforcement partnership,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott. “Even from behind bars, this individual continued to pose a grave danger to our community by orchestrating a large-scale drug trafficking operation. We are committed to dismantling these criminal networks, regardless of where the coordinators are located, and holding them fully accountable for the devastation they bring to the Birmingham area.”
The DEA investigated the case, along with the Birmingham Police Department, Hoover Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Outcome:
The Defendant was found guilty by a jury.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Samdrekus Eugene Bester?
The outcome was: The Defendant was found guilty by a jury.
Which court heard United States of America v. Samdrekus Eugene Bester?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Jefferson County), AL. The presiding judge was Madeline H. Haikala.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Samdrekus Eugene Bester?
Plaintiff's attorney: Brittany T. Byrd and Benjamin A. Keown, Sr.. Defendant's attorney: Justin K Forrester.
When was United States of America v. Samdrekus Eugene Bester decided?
This case was decided on June 12, 2026.