News
News

Drone carrying cellphones crashes outside Georgia prison

A drone crashed outside Macon State Prison on Thursday. (Credit: Georgia Department of Corrections)
A drone crashed outside Macon State Prison on Thursday. (Credit: Georgia Department of Corrections)
By Ellen Eldridge
Aug 24, 2017

A drone carrying three cellphones crashed outside Macon State Prison on Thursday, officials said.

An officer watching the prison’s perimeter in Macon County saw the device go down and investigated, the Georgia Department of Corrections posted on Facebook.

Drones have become the newest method of delivering contraband such as cellphones, tobacco and drugs to inmates in Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.

MORE: At Georgia prisons, inmates use drones, apps to skirt security

MORE: Jailbreak! Atlanta inmates escape, sneak back in

MORE: Warden retires from federal prison plagued by escaping inmates

Prison officials have been spending millions to try to stop the flow of contraband to convicts, installing infra-red cameras and even netting along fence lines. So, inmates are becoming more creative.

Know what's really going on with crime and public safety in your metro Atlanta community, including breaking news, trial coverage, trends and the latest on unsolved cases. Sign up for the AJC's crime and safety newsletter delivered weekly to your inbox.

In other news:

Frenchies Rescued In Denver Up For Adoption

About the Author

Ellen Eldridge
More Stories

Keep Reading

Greene County head football coach Darius Robinson, seen here celebrating with his team after a win in October, was relieved of coaching duties after his arrest, the Greene County School District said. (Lance McCurley/Lake Oconee News)

Credit: Lance McCurley/Lake Oconee News

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.

Georgia Power, PSC staff strike deal for $16B expansion to power data centers

Georgia Power and the Public Service Commission’s staff unveiled a deal that would allow the utility to build huge amounts of new power plants, mostly to serve data centers.

Warnock renews push for enhanced job training with bipartisan bill

Employers that come to Georgia “are having a hard time finding workers with the education they need,” U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock said in a written statement.

The Latest

Greene County head football coach Darius Robinson, seen here celebrating with his team after a win in October, was relieved of coaching duties after his arrest, the Greene County School District said. (Lance McCurley/Lake Oconee News)

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

Sweet Tea: Use your time wisely

A.M. ATL: It’s actually happening

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools

Waymo cars ignored stopped school buses in Atlanta. What happens now?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation. The autonomous vehicle company has issued a software recall.

Search for new MARTA chief hits snag

The search for a new leader for the regional transit authority is widely seen as one of the most important duties facing the Marta Board

Georgia high school coach choked player, put another in headlock, warrants say

The Greene County High coach was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one count of simple battery, according to investigators.