Attorney accused of smuggling drugs into jail cuts deal to avoid jail time himself, records show

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A local attorney accused of bringing his client drugs inside the Harris County Jail cut a deal to stay out of jail himself, court documents reveal.

Hunter Simmons was charged in 2024 and was one of three attorneys accused of similar crimes in separate cases that year.

PREVIOUS REPORT: Houston defense attorney and 2 others charged in jail drug smuggling operation

Court documents show that to avoid jail time, Simmons entered a no-contest plea and was sentenced to three years of deferred adjudication-a type of probation where he has to stay out of trouble.

His accomplice, Tanisha Butler, was charged alongside Simmons and was given a similar deal and deferred adjudication last month.

Simmons was accused of passing paper laced with synthetic marijuana to a client who was charged with murder back in 2024.

Because Simmons is a licensed attorney, he must report the no-contest plea to the State Bar. It is unclear how that would affect his license.

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