Man Arrested After Months-Long Investigation in Jefferson County

Leeds police executed a search warrant and recovered drugs, stolen firearms, and other evidence linked to violent crimes.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 3:34am

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Leeds police, along with multiple law enforcement agencies, executed a search warrant at the home of Joshua Hester in Jefferson County, Alabama. During the search, they recovered fentanyl, marijuana, firearms (including two that were reported stolen), and other drug paraphernalia. Preliminary ballistic testing linked some of the firearms to previous homicides and shootings in Birmingham. Hester had an extensive criminal history, including prior arrests for attempted murder, assault, and drug trafficking.

Why it matters

This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to crack down on violent crime and the illegal drug trade in the Birmingham metropolitan area. The recovery of ghost guns and other untraceable firearms is also concerning, as these types of weapons are increasingly being used in crimes across the country.

The details

After a months-long investigation, the Leeds Special Investigations Unit, along with the Leeds SWAT team, Jefferson County Star One, and Irondale Police SWAT, executed a search warrant at Hester's home. During the search, they found fentanyl, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. They also recovered multiple firearms, two of which had been reported stolen out of Birmingham, including a non-serialized 5.56 rifle known as a 'ghost gun'. Hester also had two machine gun conversion devices and body armor in his possession.

  • The search warrant was executed on March 4, 2026.
  • Hester had previously been arrested for attempted murder and shooting at a Birmingham police car in 2015.
  • In 2023, Hester was arrested for assault, heroin trafficking, and felony attempt to elude.

The players

Joshua Hester

A 45-year-old man with an extensive criminal history, including prior arrests for violent crimes and drug offenses.

Leeds Special Investigations Unit

The investigative unit of the Leeds Police Department that led the months-long investigation into Hester.

Jefferson County Star One

A law enforcement support unit that assisted in the execution of the search warrant.

Irondale Police SWAT

The SWAT team from the Irondale Police Department that also assisted in the search warrant.

ATF

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which was notified and responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“I am very proud of the efforts of our officers and their ability to build cases that remove dangerous people from the streets. I have said this many times that if your criminal activity bleeds over into our city for a second, we will do everything we can to remove you from the community because we have a duty and responsibility to keep our community safe from violent criminals and those who bring or sale poison into the City of Leeds.”

— Chief of Police

What’s next

The ATF was notified and responded to the scene, and they will be assisting Leeds Police in filing federal charges against Hester. Authorities also hope that the evidence found during this investigation will help Birmingham police solve some of their own violent crime cases.

The takeaway

This arrest highlights the ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to combat the illegal drug trade, gun violence, and the proliferation of untraceable 'ghost guns' in the Birmingham metropolitan area. The recovery of stolen firearms and evidence linking Hester to previous shootings underscores the need for continued collaboration between agencies to remove dangerous individuals from the community.