Former Inmate Arrested After Allegedly Flying Contraband Drone Toward Holman Prison

July 8, 2026

A former inmate is back behind bars after allegedly attempting to fly a contraband-laden drone into Holman Correctional Facility last weekend.

On Saturday, June 27, 2026, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Southern K-9 unit received a tip regarding an individual operating a drone from Interstate 65 toward the prison.

ADOC K-9 units, with assistance from the Atmore Police Department, responded to the area and apprehended the suspect, identified as former inmate Edward Knight. Knight, 42, was taken into custody without incident.

According to officials, the drone was carrying an attached package. Authorities were able to land the drone safely and confiscate the unauthorized cargo. Following an interview with ADOC agents, Knight was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and two counts of illegal drone operation.

The investigation quickly expanded beyond South Alabama. Agents discovered that Knight allegedly housed additional contraband at his residence on Springville Road in Birmingham. ADOC’s Law Enforcement Services Division, Narcotics unit, and K-9 officers subsequently executed a search warrant at the Birmingham apartment, gathering further evidence tied to the drone operation.

ADOC officials stated that the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be pending against Knight.

Comments





Have a comment on this story?

We welcome your comments on this story, but there are some rules to follow::

(1) Be Nice. No comments that slander another, no racism, no sexism, no personal attacks.

(2) No Harrassing Comments. If someone says something bad about you, don't respond. That's childish.

(3) No Libel. That's saying something is not true about someone. Don't do it.

(4) Keep it clean. Nothing vulgar, obscene or sexually related. No profanity or obvious substitutions. Period.

(5) NorthEscambia.com reserves the right to remove any comments that violate our rules or we think to be inappropriate. We are not responsible for what is posted. Comments may not appear right away until they are approved by a moderator.

(6) Limit your comments to the subject in this story only, and limit comments to 300 words or less. Do not post copyrighted material. Comments will not be added to stories that are over 30 days old.

(7) No posts may advertise a commercial business, political candidate or political group, or link to another commercial web site or political site of any kind.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FRONT FEATURE 

  NEfb