Drone drops contraband in prison, pilot arrested

Announcing federal charges against a man accused of using a drone to deliver contraband to prisoners at the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont, local U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston, along with FBI representatives, said it was only the third such case in the country to develop into charges.

Davien Phillip Turner, also known as Davien Phillip Mayo, 44, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on July 6, charging him with owning or operating a drone that is not registered and serving or attempting to serve as an airman without an airman’s certificate.

“Prisons around the country have faced the problem of individuals using drones to fly over prison complexes and drop contraband items to the prison population,” said Featherston. “According to court documents, on May 19, 2022, law enforcement officials in Jefferson County were alerted that a person was operating a drone on the property of the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont.”

Law Enforcement officials responded and eventually found Turner in the area where the drone was being operated. Near Turner, officers discovered a DJI Matrice 600 Pro Drone – valued at upward of $6,500. Law enforcement officers also discovered several bags near the drone that Turner allegedly was going to drop into the prison complex via the drone.

“Inside those bags were tobacco, cell phones, cell phone chargers, various tools, vape pens and other items,” according to prosecutors. “Those items were to be sold by inmates within the prison. Under federal law, this type of drone was required to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, and Turner had failed to do so. Furthermore, to operate a drone under these circumstances, a certificate was needed, which Turner also had not obtained.”

If convicted, Turner faces up to three years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.