Sean P. Costello U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama
Court documents have revealed that a Birmingham heroin supplier, Harding, has been sentenced to 365 months in prison. Harding was identified as the primary supplier of heroin after being introduced to a conspirator from Baldwin County, Alabama. This introduction led to the transportation of ounces of heroin from Birmingham to Daphne, Alabama, where they were distributed to local dealers.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) obtained a wiretap on two local conspirators and intercepted one drug shipment on I-65 in Baldwin County. Approximately 205 grams of heroin were seized by deputies from the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office. The driver, Quantis Clark, was arrested and later pled guilty to conspiracy charges. He received a five-year prison sentence in August 2022.
During preparations for Harding's arrest in Birmingham, FBI agents discovered ongoing investigations by Homeland Security and Alabama Law Enforcement on similar charges. A search warrant executed at Harding’s residence resulted in the seizure of eight firearms and significant quantities of drugs including two kilograms of heroin.
Harding held a leadership role within the drug conspiracy and had an extensive criminal history with felony convictions over four decades. United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer imposed the lengthy sentence during a hearing on March 19. The sentence includes a four-year supervised release period with conditions for drug testing and treatment. Additionally, the probation office is authorized to search Harding’s person or property under reasonable suspicion.
No fine was imposed; however, Harding must pay $100 in special mandatory assessments.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the FBI, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, various police departments across Alabama, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gloria Bedwell. It was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks through collaborative efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
