safety
Feds bust ring that allegedly flew drugs, weapons into prisons
By Ty Tagami | Capitol Beat at Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods)
· June 25, 2026
· 3 min read
They were allegedly flying to help prisoners get high and to maybe escape, but now nine people, all but one from Macon, are behind bars themselves after federal agents arrested them in connection with delivering drugs, phones and weapons into prisons from above.
The bust, announced Wednesday, ...
Key takeaway The eight of the accused who are from Macon are Leviticus Blash, 42; Chrystal Dunn, 37; Ira Christopher Jackson, 42; Xavier Maxwell, 30; Kenna Middleton, 45; Glenn Middleton, 70; Jeff Richardson, 23, and Tysean Richardson, 23.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The recent federal bust of a ring using drones to smuggle contraband into prisons, including two in Georgia, brings attention to a persistent problem in the state's correctional facilities. According to the Georgia Department of Corrections, drones have been a common method used to infiltrate institutions, with 362 civilians arrested in connection with contraband deliveries in the year through June 2025. The new law, House Bill 1230, which takes effect now, aims to address this issue by making it illegal to fly a drone over a prison. This legislation is a crucial step in preventing the introduction of drugs, weapons, and other contraband into prisons, which can compromise the safety of both inmates and staff. As the law is implemented, it will be important to monitor its effectiveness in reducing drone-related incidents and to consider additional measures to support the Georgia Department of Corrections in its efforts to prevent contraband smuggling.
About this story
Original reporting by Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? They were allegedly flying to help prisoners get high and to maybe escape, but now nine people, all but one from Macon, are behind bars themselves after federal agents arrested them in connection with delivering drugs, phones and weapons into prisons from above.
The bust, announced Wednesday, ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ty Tagami | Capitol Beat at Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods). To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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