2 Charged In McDonald's Sandwiches, Drone Contraband Probe: GA Sheriff

ATLANTA, GA — Two men are facing charges in connection with a contraband probe that included a drone at the Fulton County Jail.

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office on Friday said they arrested Richard Redding and Jeffrey Jenkins after accusing them of trying to deliver contraband to the jail using a drone.

The arrest took place Tuesday evening, when authorities said they were tipped off about a flying drone near the jail.

They said they found a parked vehicle near a dead-end street by the jail "that appeared to be out of place." Authorities said a search of the vehicle led to the drone, a controller and case, a large quantity of marijuana, multiple pills including suspected oxycodone, 48 packs of cigarettes, more than 100 loose cigarettes, paracord, plastic packaging and nine cell phones.

Redding and Jenkins were in the vehicle at the time of the search and were arrested, authorities said.

The sheriff's office said it connected the case to a prior incident last weekend, when McDonald's chicken sandwiches with suspected oxycodone in a package were found "tangled in the concertina wire on the jail’s perimeter."

Authorities said the packaging was similar in both incidents.

Charges were as follows, per authorities:

Redding:

• Conspiracy to commit a felony
• Trafficking in illegal drugs
• Criminal attempt to commit a felony
• Possession of tools for commission of a crime, two counts
• Possession of controlled substance in schedule III, IV or V
• VGCSA – Possession of controlled substance in schedule I or II with intent to distribute, two counts
• Possession of prohibited items by inmate or providing prohibited items to inmate
• Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of marijuana
• Knowingly driving motor vehicle on suspended, canceled, or revoked registration

Jenkins:

• Conspiracy to commit a felony
• Trafficking in illegal drugs
• Criminal attempt to commit a felony
• Possession of tools for commission of a crime, two counts
• Possession of controlled substance in schedule III, IV or V
• VGCSA – Possession of controlled substance in schedule I or II with intent to distribute, two counts
• Possession of prohibited items by inmate or providing prohibited items to inmate
• Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of marijuana

“We are combating technology with technology alongside good old-fashioned detective work,” Fulton County Sheriff Patrick “Pat” Labat said in a news release. “I want to commend the teamwork and communication of all investigators and officers involved. Our team remains vigilant in investigating contraband smuggling operations to prevent these dangerous items entering the jail. We will continue to pursue those who threaten the safety and security of our facilities.”