Beaver, WV (WOAY) Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging 12 individuals in what officials describe as the largest federal prosecution to date involving the use of drones to smuggle contraband into federal prisons.
The 17-count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Georgia and unsealed on June 24, alleges the conspiracy operated from September 2023 through May 2026.
According to prosecutors, the group used six drones to make at least 38 contraband drops at 10 federal prisons across eight states, including FCI Beckley.
Other prisons named in the indictment include facilities in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Investigators allege the drones were used to deliver methamphetamine, marijuana, K-2, Suboxone, cell phones, tobacco, and saw blades intended to be used as weapons or to facilitate escapes.
Court documents state the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ drone detection system tracked the drones’ locations, flight paths, altitudes, and identification numbers.
The detection system helped investigators identify the alleged operation.
Prosecutors say the defendants had specific roles in the conspiracy, including flying drones, storing and packaging contraband, transporting participants, acting as lookouts, and communicating with inmates to coordinate the drops.
One inmate assigned to FCI Beckley is accused of using a contraband cell phone to schedule deliveries into the prison.
Several defendants face charges, including conspiracy to provide contraband in prison, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, evidence tampering, and operating unregistered drones.
Some of the defendants could face maximum penalties of life in prison if convicted.
The FBI, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General led the investigation, with assistance from several federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
All 12 defendants are in federal custody awaiting further court proceedings and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
