Investigations

-A A +A
skip-to-content
August 2, 2022

Texas Individual Charged with Using a UAS To Introduce Contraband Into a Prison

Video Icon Press Release - USAO, Northern District of Texas
On August 2, 2022, a criminal complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas charging Bryant Leray Henderson with attempting to smuggle contraband into a prison, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and serving as an airman without an airman's certificate. Henderson was arrested on August 12, 2022.
 
According to the complaint, Henderson flew an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) into the airspace over the Federal Medical Center Fort Worth, a Federal correctional facility, just before midnight on May 4, 2022. The UAS crashed inside the prison yard where it was recovered by prison staff. Affixed to the UAS were packages containing 46 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 87 grams of pressed THC, two prepaid smartphones, and nine mp3 players.
DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Fort Worth Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Dallas Police Department.
 
Note: Indictments, informations, and criminal complaints are only accusations by the Government. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.