{"id":2618641,"date":"2026-06-24T17:51:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T21:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/feds-bust-a-dozen-people-for-smuggling-drugs-and-phones-into-prisons-via-drones\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T17:53:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T21:53:32","slug":"feds-bust-a-dozen-people-for-smuggling-drugs-and-phones-into-prisons-via-drones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/feds-bust-a-dozen-people-for-smuggling-drugs-and-phones-into-prisons-via-drones\/","title":{"rendered":"Feds bust a dozen people for smuggling drugs and phones into prisons via drones"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffeds-bust-a-dozen-people-for-smuggling-drugs-and-phones-into-prisons-via-drones%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2618641&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Federal prosecutors in georgia have unsealed an indictment charging 12 individuals in what authorities say is <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >teh largest federal case involving drone<\/a> use to smuggle drugs, cellphones, weapons, adn other contraband into prisons across eight southern states. The 17-count indictment alleges that from September 2023 to May 2024, the defendants operated six drones to make at least 38 deliveries into 10 federal prisons, including facilities in West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The scheme involved transporting methamphetamine, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids (K-2), Suboxone, and other items such as tobacco, saw blades, and cellphones, some used for weapons or escape attempts.<\/p>\n<p>The operation was led by Ira Christopher Jackson of Macon, Georgia, who coordinated drone flights, stored equipment, and contacted inmates for deliveries. Several other defendants face potential life sentences for their roles, including those who flew drones, assisted with prison drops, or communicated with inmates. Several current and former federal inmates are also charged with conspiracy for coordinating contraband drops via cellphones, with one inmate potentially facing up to 30 years.<\/p>\n<p>The investigation benefited from the Bureau of Prisons\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/duffy-announces-new-jersey-drone-detection-mission-after-last-years-scandal-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Duffy announces New Jersey drone detection mission after last year\u2019s scandal ... Washington Examiner\">drone detection technology<\/a>, capable of tracking drone activity near prisons. This case, considered the largest drone-smuggling bust at the federal level, highlights ongoing issues with drone-related contraband smuggling into correctional facilities, with similar incidents reported recently in Georgia. All involved defendants are in federal custody and scheduled for initial court appearances in July.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Federal prosecutors in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\">Georgia<\/a> unsealed an indictment Wednesday charging 12 people in what authorities described as the largest <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> prosecution over a coordinated drone operation used to smuggle drugs, cellphones, weapons, and other contraband into prisons across eight states.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/usao-mdga\/pr\/twelve-indicted-alleged-drone-smuggling-conspiracy-ten-prisons\">17-count indictment<\/a> brought in Macon, Georgia, alleges the defendants participated in a conspiracy from September 2023 through May of this year that utilized six drones to make at least 38 contraband drops into 10 federal prisons, including facilities across eight southern states, from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/west-virginia\/\">West Virginia<\/a> down to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alabama\/\">Alabama<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/louisiana\/\">Louisiana<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mississippi\/\">Mississippi<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4623878\/sentencing-date-vance-boelter-minnesota\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Sentencing date set for man charged in Minnesota House speaker\u2019s assassination<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4622484\/federal-arrest-eric-adams-chief-of-staff-new-york-city\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Federal agents arrest ex-New York Mayor Eric Adams\u2019s former chief of staff<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4621296\/fbi-defends-decision-green-light-trump-ufc-fight-attackers-at-large\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>FBI defends decision to green light Trump\u2019s UFC fight despite alleged attackers at large: \u2018We had the leaders\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">U.S. Attorney Keyes, BOP Director Marshall, FBI SAC Graham, DOT OIG SAC Harris announced 12 people have been indicted in the largest <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheJusticeDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@TheJusticeDept<\/a> case yet involving drones used to smuggle contraband into 10 prisons across 8 states. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DOTInspectorGen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@DOTInspectorGen<\/a> \ud83d\udd17 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/eDGRzk7FlC\">https:\/\/t.co\/eDGRzk7FlC<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/x0FPUALImz\">pic.twitter.com\/x0FPUALImz<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\u2014 US Attorney MDGA (@USAO_MDGA) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/USAO_MDGA\/status\/2069869379181842673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 24, 2026<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The alleged scheme involved deliveries of methamphetamine, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids known as K-2, Suboxone, cellphones, tobacco, and saw blades that could be used as weapons or to facilitate escapes, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.gamd.142349\/gov.uscourts.gamd.142349.1.0.pdf\">according<\/a> to the 33-page indictment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The alleged operation was led by Ira Christopher Jackson, 42, of Macon, Georgia, who prosecutors say coordinated drone flights, stored equipment at a former daycare center known as \u201cThe Lab,\u201d and communicated with inmates to arrange deliveries. Jackson is charged with multiple drug trafficking conspiracies, providing contraband in prison, evidence tampering, firearm offenses, and operating unregistered drones. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several other defendants also face possible life sentences, including Kenna Middleton, 45; Leviticus Blash, 42; Chrystal Dunn, 37; and brothers Jeff and Tysean Richardson, both 23. Prosecutors allege Middleton helped fly drones and communicate with inmates; Blash assisted with prison drop operations; Dunn acted as a driver and lookout; and the Richardson brothers flew drones used in the deliveries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The indictment also charges four current and former federal inmates accused of coordinating drops using contraband cellphones. Aaron Hubbard, 37, a Bureau of Prisons inmate, faces up to 30 years in prison on conspiracy charges involving prison contraband and K-2 distribution. Two other inmates and one former inmate face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to provide contraband.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The oldest defendant, 70-year-old Glenn Middleton, is charged with firearm and narcotics offenses and accused of storing items used in the conspiracy. He faces up to 20 years in prison, plus a mandatory consecutive sentence of at least five years if convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-president-trump-gives-pardons-to-73-individuals-and-commutes-another-70-sentences-steve-bannon-is-included\/\" title=\"BREAKING: President Trump Gives Pardons to 73 Individuals and Commutes Another 70 Sentences \u2013 Steve Bannon Is Included\">drug trafficking crime<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Federal investigators said the case was aided by the Bureau of Prisons\u2019s drone detection technology, which can identify a drone\u2019s launch location, flight path, altitude, and registration information near prison facilities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sports\/4619202\/fbi-world-cup-drone-incursions\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">FBI REPORTS OVER 300 DRONE INCURSIONS DURING WORLD CUP MATCHES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While authorities say it marks the largest drone smuggling bust of its kind on the federal level, state prosecutors in recent months have dealt with similar activities. Last month, two Georgia teenagers were charged just 74 miles east of Macon for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/two-georgia-teens-allegedly-used-drone-drop-drugs-phones-blades-prison-face-charges\">allegedly using drones to smuggle contraband<\/a> into the Washington State Prison in Davisboro, Georgia.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All defendants from the newly unsealed indictment are now in federal custody awaiting their initial court appearances, and an arraignment is currently scheduled for July 22.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Georgia charges 12 in largest drone smuggling case into prisons<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2618642,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/drone_prison-smuggling.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[61228,81678,38683,51050,57807],"class_list":["post-2618641","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-crime-crackdown","tag-drones-enforcement","tag-drug-smuggling","tag-law-enforcement-2","tag-prison-security"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/drone_prison-smuggling.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618641","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2618641"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618641\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2618645,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2618641\/revisions\/2618645"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2618642"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2618641"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2618641"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2618641"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}