April 21 2021 A New Jersey man pleaded guilty in court Tuesday to using a drone to smuggle contraband, including cell phones, tobacco and other contraband, into federal prisons. One of his associates has also been charged with operating a drone.
The man, named as Jason Ateaga Loyza, served his sentence at The Fort Dix prison in New Jersey from June 2017 to September 2018, FoxNews.com reported Tuesday.
A month after his release from prison, he and his associates conspired to fly drones over the prison, throw mobile phones, tobacco, diet pills and other contraband at an inmate who was still serving his sentence, and then profit by selling contraband to other inmates.
In addition, Loyza admitted to drug possession and police found a suitcase containing 21 grams of heroin and fentanyl mixtures at his residence.
In addition to Loyza, his accomplice Adrian Gurcharan and others are also charged. Gurcharan, who is accused of operating drones, would camp in the woods near the prison and wait until night or night to fly them into the prison to avoid detection. Gurcharan also uses duct tape to block the drone’s lights, making it harder for prison guards to detect.
When he pleads guilty, Loyza faces up to five years in prison for drone smuggling and up to 20 years for drug offenses, U.S. media said. His sentence will be announced in September.
