LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. — According to the Alabama Department of Corrections, an inmate at the Limestone Correctional Facility is accused of assaulting a guard at the prison.
In a statement, ADOC said:
On Saturday, December 14, 2024, an inmate-on-staff assault was reported at Limestone Correctional Facility. During a controlled inmate movement, inmate Yqwain Malik Hawkins refused to comply. He was ordered to submit to a search, during which Hawkins turned toward the officer.
The officer administered a chemical spray and attempted to take him to the ground. The officer was struck in the upper arm with an inmate-made knife. Once Hawkins was contained and the weapon secured, the officer was escorted to the Health Care Unit. Inmate Hawkins was decontaminated and assessed with no injuries. The officer was transported to an area hospital and treated for a minor injury.
Hawkins, 23 years old, is serving a life sentence for Murder out of Tuscaloosa County.
It's not the first incident to draw attention to the facility this month.
On December 6, a man was arrested after authorities discovered a drone with contraband near the facility.
The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) said that Law Enforcement Service Division (LESD) agents were alerted to Shaquon Horton, who was seen searching for a drone behind the Warden’s house.
Upon further investigation, the drone was recovered, along with contraband, although ADOC officials believe no narcotics were smuggled into the facility.
Horton was arrested at the scene and transported to Limestone County Detention Facility. He now faces a charge of Trespassing in the 3rd Degree.
This incident is part of the ADOC's ongoing efforts to stop contraband smuggling in state prisons. On the same day, two other smuggling attempts were stopped at different prisons, leading to several arrests and the collection of illegal drugs, cell phones, and other items.
