Fort Worth Man Arrested For Flying A Drone Into A Prison Yard With Drugs And Phones

Bryant Henderson, 42, was arrested for flying a drone into a prison yard with drugs and pre-paid phones.

Just before midnight, on May 4th, Henderson flew a drone over FMC Fort Worth, a prison in the south part of Fort Worth. It crashed inside a fenced yard near the prison’s HVAC shop.

Guards discovered the drone and attached to the drone was a package. Inside was 46 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 87 grams of pressed THC, two prepaid smartphones, and nine mp3 players.

Footage by a nearby high school was seen of man driving up in a Red Chevy Tahoe. He exited the vehicle with a drone and a package, launched the drone towards the prison and drove off.

Police used the footage and identified the licensed plate on the red Tahoe. Two weeks later found the vehicle abandoned in a travel lane, flashers on and hood up. Police searched the vehicle and found debit cards with Henderson’s name on them. They also found DJI drone controllers, rechargeable drone batteries, 18 smartphones, tobacco products, and vacuum sealed containers with steroid labels.

Henderson was charged with one count of attempting to provide contraband in prison, one count of serving as an airman without an airman’s certificate and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

“Contraband drone deliveries are quickly becoming the bane of prison officials’ existence. Illicit goods pose a threat to guards and inmates alike – and when it comes to cell phones, the threat often extends outside prison walls. We are determined to stop this trend in its tracks,” U.S. Attorney Chad Meacham said in a press release.

If Henderson is convicted, he will face 45 years in prison.