According to the grand jury report, Williford and Shepherd transported drugs onto the grounds of Warren Correctional Institution using a drone between in July and August.
Williford and Shepherd were staying at a Monroe hotel, where they used glue to cover the small packages of contraband with turf. They then dropped them at WCI using a drone, according to Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell.
“I would characterize it as a prison Easter egg hunt,” Fornsell said.
WCI tracked a drone to the Monroe hotel on July 30. Law enforcement then began conducting surveillance on the hotel.
“On Aug. 8, another drone is launched from the same location and is able to be tracked,” Fornshell said. “We get a search warrant on the hotel room and the equipment inside.”
The video on the drone shows it dropping the packages at WCI and two other prisons, Mansfield Correctional Institution and Ross Correctional Institution, he said.
Fornshell said Williford and Shepherd are believed to be part of the Heartless Felons gang that has members in prison.
Arraignment dates are scheduled for Feb. 12 in Warren County Common Pleas Court.
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