Jennifer Horton

Investigative Reporter

Montgomery, AL

Jennifer Horton is an investigative reporter for WSFA 12 News in Montgomery. Her reporting focuses on issues involving criminal justice, specifically crime, government corruption, and the state and federal court system. During Jennifer’s 12-year stint at WSFA she has served as a weekend anchor and general assignment reporter, traveling the state and country covering stories that impact local viewers. Jennifer is an active member of the Gray News Investigative team, the Investigative Reporters and Editors organization, and a graduate of Auburn University.

Awards:

Alabama Associated Press Best Reporter
Alabama Broadcasters Association “Best in Broadcast: Investigative Reporting”
Southeast Emmy Excellence in My Market Awards: honors in General Assignment Reporting & Investigative Reporting
VOCAL Voice for Victims

Education:

Auburn University, Radio, Television, and Film; Spanish

Recent Articles by Jennifer

Investigation reveals gaping disparities among community corrections programs

The Southern Poverty Law Center commissioned an eight month investigation into Alabama’s CCPs.

Jennifer Horton

Published August 15, 2019 at 4:55 PM

Former attorney general named director of Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles

Gov. Kay Ivey has appointed Charlie Graddick to serve as director of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.

WSFA Staff and Jennifer Horton

Published July 12, 2019 at 10:11 AM

State paid half million dollars to settle lawsuit against former Gov. Bentley

There is new information regarding the recently settled lawsuit against former Gov. Robert Bentley.

Jennifer Horton

Published June 26, 2019 at 6:03 PM

With or without new prisons, Ala. likely to spend millions on infrastructure

The U.S. Department of Justice ordered sweeping changes to the Alabama Department of Corrections after a lengthy investigation that found...

Jennifer Horton

Published June 20, 2019 at 5:43 PM

Lawsuit against former Gov. Bentley settled for more than half a million dollars

The three-year legal fight between former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Spencer Collier and former Gov. Robert Bentley is over.

Jennifer Horton

Published June 12, 2019 at 12:37 PM

Lawmakers could consider retroactive sentencing to reduce prison population

Sizeable changes are coming to Alabama’s criminal justice system and its prisons. The reforms were ordered by the Department of Justice after an investigation determined the state’s prisons are so dangerous it’s depriving prisoners of their basic civil rights.

Jennifer Horton

Published June 10, 2019 at 8:00 PM

Bill to restructure parole board heads to governor’s desk

A bill to restructure the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles is heading to the governor's desk.

Jennifer Horton

Published May 30, 2019 at 6:46 PM

’You were a drug dealer’: Judge sentences nurse practitioner in Montgomery pill mill case

Former nurse practitioner Lillian Akwuba was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.

Jennifer Horton

Published May 29, 2019 at 6:21 PM

Healthcare CEO sentenced to prison in Ala. State House bribery case

It took hours of deliberation to convince a judge to accept the plea agreement, which was below the recommended sentencing guidelines.

Jennifer Horton

Published May 28, 2019 at 6:55 PM

Bill to restructure AL parole board clears House after long debate

Following more than five hours of intense deliberation, Alabama House Bill 380 passes by a wide margin.

Jennifer Horton

Published May 9, 2019 at 5:57 PM

Ed Henry avoids prison, sentenced to probation in Medicare fraud case

Former state representative Ed Henry was sentenced Thursday in federal court after pleading guilty to information involving theft of government property.

WSFA Staff and Jennifer Horton

Published May 2, 2019 at 6:22 PM

Bill to close AL payday loan loophole gains bipartisan support

The “30 Days to Pay” bill would specifically help those who fall into the debt cycle, forced to take out loan after loan to make the payments.

Jennifer Horton

Published April 11, 2019 at 6:17 PM

Alabama continues to pay former Gov. Bentley’s legal bills

Alabama taxpayers are still footing former Gov. Robert Bentley's legal bills.

Jennifer Horton

Published April 11, 2019 at 3:24 PM

Staggering violence, sexual assaults and death in Alabama prisons

DOJ finds AL prisons violate the Constitution

Beth Shelburne and Jennifer Horton

Published April 3, 2019 at 5:05 PM

Judge to determine whether ADOC is doing enough to prevent soaring inmate suicide rate

15 inmates have taken their lives in only 15 months.

Jennifer Horton

Published March 28, 2019 at 6:42 PM

Retired Illinois carpenter builds, delivers crosses for Alabama tornado victims

A simple expression of love in the face of ultimate grief, carefully constructed and driven for nearly 1,000 miles to comfort perfect strangers.

Jennifer Horton

Published March 6, 2019 at 7:04 PM

1992 death penalty case returns to court for resentencing

What started as a death sentence is now life without parole for a man who confessed to killing a Montgomery woman in her home while her child, 2, watched.

Jennifer Horton

Published February 25, 2019 at 6:55 PM

Ed Henry pleads guilty to information in Medicare fraud case

Former state representative Ed Henry appeared in federal Court Wednesday, pleading guilty to information involving theft of government property.

Jennifer Horton

Published January 16, 2019 at 11:53 AM

Former State Rep. Ed Henry to plead guilty in kickback scheme

Court documents indicate Henry will plead guilty to charges surrounding a kickback scheme aimed to defraud a federal health care program.

Jennifer Horton

Published January 9, 2019 at 1:44 PM

Murder investigation exposes Montgomery human trafficking ring

Prattville resident Melissa Metcalf’s body was discovered in July in rural Macon County. The investigation into her brutal death uncovered a sex trafficking ring.

Jennifer Horton

Published January 4, 2019 at 3:26 PM

Bill to limit parole board’s discretion to be introduced in upcoming session

Changes could be on the horizon for the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Jennifer Horton

Published November 15, 2018 at 6:59 PM

AL parole board submits corrective action plan to Gov. Ivey

In the plan’s introduction, the Board stated its commitment to fulfilling its public safety role and would address the governor’s concerns until ‘they are no longer concerns’

WSFA Staff and Jennifer Horton

Published November 14, 2018 at 6:20 PM

Suspects in naked, chained child torture case make court appearances

Three of the five family members charged with aggravated child abuse for reportedly chaining up a 13-year-old boy and forcing him to sleep naked in a dog kennel returned to court on Thursday.