Robert Alan Ozment, of Hoover, was sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison after drug raids at his home in 2020. (Jefferson County Sheriff's Office)

A Hoover man described as the leader of a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization has been sentenced to federal prison.

Authorities said 49-year-old Robert Alan Ozment, a radiology scan technician, ran the drug op in Hoover’s Ross Bridge neighborhood.

Ozment was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison on gun and drug charges, according to a joint announcement Tuesday by Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona, FBI Special Agent in Charge Johnnie Sharp Jr., and DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Towanda Thorne-James.

U.S. District Court Judge Madeline H. Haikala sentenced Ozment to 186 months for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possessing several firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Previously sentenced for conspiring with Ozment to distribute and possess with intent to distribute are: Gary Daniel Mitchell, 34, of Empire, 72 months; Nikolas Lee Wilson, 43, of Cullman, 60 months; and Donald Thomas Kimbrough, 37, of Bessemer, to 70 months.

Rodney David Russell, 45, of Birmingham, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and awaits sentencing on Sept.22, 2022.

According to court documents, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) investigation was initiated in early spring of 2020, of a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking organization operated by Ozment from his Ross Bridge home.

On March 19, 2020, authorities carried out a search warrant 2283 Abbeyglen Circle in Hoover.

Police officers seized more than 1 kilogram of crystal methamphetamine, five guns, and $11,676 in cash. The guns included a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol, a Double Tap Defense LLC .45 caliber pistol, a Micro Draco 7.62 caliber rifle, a Spikes Tactical .223 caliber rifle, and a Browning .308 caliber rifle.

Also confiscated was an oscillating fan with a hidden video camera which was recovered from Ozment’s bedroom.

A search warrant was obtained for the video and audio footage. The video captured multiple hand to hand transactions wherein Ozment was engaged in the sale of methamphetamine.

Robert Alan Ozment, of Hoover, was sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison after drug raids at his home in 2020. (Jefferson County Sheriff's Office)

Those sales, authorities said, ranged from the sale of multiple ounces of methamphetamine to kilogram quantities. Also observed on the video recordings were instances wherein Ozment possessed firearms while conducting drug transactions.

In addition to drug sales captured on video was an instance in which Ozment retrieved his stash of 4 to 6 kilograms of methamphetamine. Among the individuals captured in the videos conducting drug transactions were Russell, Mitchell, and Wilson.

On July 13, 2020, agents received information that Ozment had traveled to Atlanta to buy more methamphetamine to sell.

Agents executed another Jefferson County search warrant on July 14, 2020, at Ozment’s home. Agents found and seized approximately 142 grams of methamphetamine, a small quantity of cocaine, and four more firearms: an American Tactical Omni Hybrid .223 caliber rifle, a Ruger LCP .380 caliber pistol, a Double Tap .45 caliber pistol, and a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber pistol.

On October 4, 2021, Ozment’s home was forfeited to the U.S. government. The property was valued at $274,000 and encumbered by a mortgage valued at $164,174.

The FBI and DEA investigated the case along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Cross prosecuted the case.

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022).

© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.