Feds bust a dozen for allegedly smuggling drugs and phones into prisons using ‘heavy payload drone’

Federal prosecutors in Georgia unsealed an indictment Wednesday charging 12 people in what authorities described as the largest Justice Department prosecution over a coordinated drone operation used to smuggle drugs, cellphones, weapons, and other contraband into prisons across eight states.

The 17-count indictment 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 West Virginia down to Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

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, according to the 33-page indictment.

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 “The Lab,” 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.

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.

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.

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 drug trafficking crime.

Federal investigators said the case was aided by the Bureau of Prisons’s drone detection technology, which can identify a drone’s launch location, flight path, altitude, and registration information near prison facilities.

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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 allegedly using drones to smuggle contraband into the Washington State Prison in Davisboro, Georgia.

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.