WELCH, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Three Michigan men were arrested early Sunday after deputies say they attempted to use a drone to deliver contraband into a federal prison in McDowell County.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office was notified around 12:43 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, of a drone reportedly attempting to deliver contraband into Federal Correctional Institution McDowell in Welch.
According to the sheriff’s office, a federal correctional officer spotted a drone flying over the facility and believed it was being used to introduce contraband onto prison property.
Chief Deputy Martin and Deputy Picklesimer responded to investigate. Based on previous investigations involving similar incidents, deputies went to the area near the end of Noe Street, which authorities said had previously been used as a drone launch location.
Around 1:11 a.m., Deputy Picklesimer located a black Volkswagen sedan parked at the end of Noe Street near the prison. Three men were found with the vehicle and identified as Terry ILee Younger, 27; Lagearl Rimpson, 36; and Kenley Fuller, 37.
Deputies said a drone controller was observed on the ground near the passenger side of the vehicle. The controller showed a live camera feed from the drone, with packages of suspected contraband visible hanging from it.
While deputies were at the scene, the controller began warning that the drone’s battery had reached a critical level. The drone then fell from the air and crashed in a wooded area approximately 200 feet from the end of Noe Street.
Deputies located the orange drone and said its landing and operational lights had been covered. A vacuum-sealed package camouflaged with adhesive and grass was attached to the drone, with tobacco visible inside, according to the sheriff’s office.
A search of the vehicle also reportedly uncovered another similarly constructed and camouflaged package containing the same type of suspected contraband.
All three men were arrested on charges related to aiding escape and other correctional facility offenses, unlawful operation of an unmanned aerial vehicle and conspiracy.
Investigators said Rimpson had previously been involved in a similar drone-related incident in McDowell County.
The sheriff’s office said it continues to work with federal correctional personnel and other law enforcement agencies to investigate attempts to introduce contraband into FCI McDowell.
All three defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
