Federal prosecutors say a former Macon daycare became the base for a sprawling drone-smuggling operation that dropped drugs, cell phones and escape tools into federal prisons across the South.
A 17-count federal indictment unsealed June 24 charges 12 people in an alleged conspiracy that used six drones to make at least 38 contraband drops into 10 federal prisons between September 2023 and May 2026, according to the Department of Justice.
The DOJ said the case represents the largest federal prosecution to date involving coordinated drone operations to smuggle illegal items into prisons. The targeted facilities included Federal Correctional Institution Atlanta and Federal Correctional Institution Jesup in Georgia, along with prisons in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Prosecutors allege Ira Christopher Jackson of Macon used a former daycare, called “The Lab” by defendants, to store items used in the conspiracy. Five drones were routinely activated at or near the site in the days before prison drops, prosecutors said.
The packages allegedly included methamphetamine, marijuana, K-2, suboxone, cell phones, tobacco and saw blades designed to be used as weapons or escape tools. Prosecutors allege inmates used contraband cell phones to schedule drops at the targeted prisons.
Jackson, Kenna Middleton, Leviticus Blash, Chrystal Dunn, Jeff Richardson and Tysean Richardson are among the defendants facing a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted. Other defendants face maximum penalties ranging from five to 30 years, depending on the charges.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Prisons and Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General are investigating the case. An indictment is only an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
