Two Federal Indictments Unsealed Against 23 Defendants in Drone-Based Drug Delivery Scheme

Two newly unsealed federal indictments charge 23 defendants in widespread conspiracies involving the use of drones to deliver methamphetamine, marijuana, and cell phones to state prisons in Georgia.

The indictments, USA v. Hall, et al., and USA v. Harris, et al., were unsealed in the U.S. District Court, according to Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

The primary charge in each indictment is conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute marijuana and methamphetamine. This charge carries a statutory penalty of 10 years to life in prison, along with substantial financial penalties and at least five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. Parole is not available in the federal system.

“These indictments identify networks of individuals determined to introduce into prisons controlled substances and other contraband that compromise the safety and security of individuals who are held in those facilities and those employed there, and further endanger members of the outside public,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “We’re grateful to the many federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies whose cooperative work unraveled these criminal operations.”

Investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, the operation involved agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Department of Corrections Criminal Investigations and Intelligence divisions, with assistance from multiple local law enforcement agencies. Operation Night Drop uncovered two networks of prison inmates and outside conspirators using drones and other methods to deliver large quantities of drugs, cell phones, and other contraband to Smith State Prison in Glennville, Ga., Telfair State Prison in McRae-Helena, Ga., and other Georgia state prisons. The conspiracies are alleged to have begun as early as 2019 and continued through July 2024.

In addition to the conspiracy charges, several defendants face charges of Unlawful Use of a Communication Facility. The indictment details the use of cell phones to coordinate drug sales and other contraband, direct activities of conspirators outside the prisons, and arrange drone deliveries. Text messages and Facebook Messenger exchanges between the defendants included aerial images of prisons, drug quantities and prices, and photos of drones, drugs, cell phones, and packaging materials.

The indictments also include notices seeking the forfeiture of 10 drones and 21 firearms seized during the investigation.

Defendants in USA v. Hall, et al.:

1. Alan Hall, a/k/a “Strong,” a/k/a “Krook,” 44, currently at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Ga.;
2. Deivon Waller, a/k/a “Hitman,” a/k/a “VP,” 33, currently at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Ga.;
3. Travious Bateman, a/k/a “Nut,” 39, of Covington, Ga.;
4. Asa Ward, a/k/a “Foolay,” 28, currently at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Ga.;
5. Devonn Collins, a/k/a “Vonn,” 28, of Locust Grove, Ga.;
6. Torlandus Fuller, a/k/a “Mustafa$upa,” 33, of Lithonia, Ga.;
7. Martin Holmes, a/k/a “The Mayor,” 33, currently at Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, Ga.;
8. Raymond Razo, a/k/a “Flako,” 36, currently at Telfair State Prison in McRae-Helena, Ga.;
9. Anisha Usher, 38, of Covington, Ga.;
10. Marquez Chandler, 25, of Conyers, Ga.;
11. Chad Henry, 26, of Conyers, Ga.;
12. Katrina Hampton, 28, of Killeen, Texas;
13. Jamar Hill, 37, of Tucker, Ga.;
14. Raane Onessimo, 29, of Powder Springs, Ga.;
15. Donald Pate, 51, of Valdosta, Ga.

Defendants in USA v. Harris, et al.:

1. Robert Harris, a/k/a “Messiah,” a/k/a “Dean,” 32, currently at Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, Ga.;
2. Kelvin Rogers, a/k/a “Gangsta,” 38, currently at Smith State Prison in Glennville, Ga.;
3. Quinton Samples, a/k/a “JR,” 29, of Atlanta;
4. Thomas Cothran, a/k/a “Shoota,” a/k/a “Tee,” 37, currently at Ware State Prison in Waycross, Ga.;
5. Quintaveous Samples, a/k/a “Peewee,” 26, of Jonesboro, Ga.;
6. Quinesha Oliver, 27, of Jonesboro, Ga.;
7. Tristahn Ash, a/k/a “Mohawk,” 27, currently at the Metro Reentry Facility in Atlanta;
8. David Williams, 35, of Atlanta, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime.

Of the 23 defendants, six were not in Department of Corrections custody at any time during the conspiracies but are alleged to have been in contact with incarcerated co-defendants.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Georgia Department of Corrections Criminal Investigations and Intelligence divisions, and various local law enforcement agencies, and is being prosecuted by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy P. Dean and Patricia G. Rhodes.