Convicted Drug Dealer Sentenced To 40 Years In Prison

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a Newville man for conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and heroin. Tavara Gissendanner was sentenced to 40 years in prison and 20 years of supervised release.

Gissendanner was found guilty by a federal jury in August 2020.

Evidence at trial proved that in early 2019 Gissendanner directed a network of associates in trafficking quantities of narcotics — including heroin and methamphetamine — and money across the state.

Gissendanner orchestrated the drug trafficking while in Alabama Department of Corrections custody, in part by using contraband cellular phones he obtained in prison, according to court documents.

Beginning in early 2019, investigators intercepted shipments of drugs to associates of Gissendanner in the Birmingham area. In one instance, investigators replaced seized heroin with mock narcotics before arresting the recipient of the drugs in Bessemer. The intercepted heroin was worth an estimated $150,000. Additional seizures in the case included quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin-fentanyl mixtures and cash.

Isiah Thomas, 36, of Bessemer was also found guilty in the August 2020 trial. His sentencing has not been announced.