Huntsville Man First to Get Life Sentence Under Alabama’s ‘Agent Billy Clardy III Act’
Was sentenced as a Habitual Offender, investigated with “enhanced investigative tools”
A Huntsville man, Reginald Eugene Scott, 45, has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to trafficking in cocaine. He is the first person in Alabama to receive this tough sentence under the Agent Billy Clardy III Act .
Scott was identified as the leader of a large drug network operating across the Southeast. During the investigation, authorities also found multiple firearms connected to his operations.
Scott pleaded guilty to a Class A felony and was sentenced under the Habitual Felony Offender Act—having four prior felony drug convictions. To secure the life sentence, state law enforcement used enhanced investigative tools allowed by the Agent Billy Clardy III Act, working closely with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Huntsville’s STAC Team.
In 2019, Agent Billy Clardy III lost his life while investigating a major drug trafficking case. The Alabama Legislature passed the “Agent Billy Clardy III Act” in 2023 to honor him and to give police more legal power. The Act allows more advanced tactics, like wiretaps, to crack down on drug rings.
In the 2025 session, the Legislature passed HB137, which removed the February 2026 expiration date of the Agent Bill Clardy III Act, making it permanent.
Attorney General Steve Marshall said this life sentence is a strong tribute to Agent Clardy. He added, “Agent Clardy dedicated his life to combating the scourge of drugs in our community. The legislation honoring his name will forever assist law enforcement in rooting out those who would poison our communities while adding safety and security to our officers. Agent Clardy’s death was not in vain.”
Marshall said the investigation isn’t over and that they expect more arrests and convictions soon.
He also praised the Special Prosecutions Division, especially Assistant Attorney General Verne H. Speirs and Special Agent Todd Mims, along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Huntsville’s STAC Team, and the Madison County District Attorney’s office.
