Disir
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- Sep 30, 2011
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Shortz had flown the remote-controlled drone, and its payload, over a 12-foot fence to inside the prison yard by a door in the back of a housing block for inmates learning to train dogs. Inmates walking dogs would retrieve the contraband. Inmates in the dog-training program are now supervised during their walks.
Ex-con convicted in scheme to smuggle drugs into prison via drone
Shortz is an ex-convict who was released from the Western Correctional Institution in April after serving time for assault. Police acting on a tip arrested him and another man outside the prison on the night of Aug. 22.
In Shortz' truck, they found a remote-controlled mini-helicopter and six plastic-wrapped packages containing prescription narcotics, synthetic marijuana, tobacco, pornographic videos and a cellphone — items worth a total of $35,000 to $40,000 to prisoners, one witness testified.
Police also recovered a handgun, though investigators say it exceeded the drone's cargo weight limit.
Maryland State Police Sgt. Andrew Farrell testified that Shortz told him he was a top man in a contraband ring and had made five or six drops since May at $4,000 each. He said he had used $20,000 of the proceeds to help pay for his new Ford pickup, Farrell said.
"He was almost boastful about it," Farrell said.
Jury Convicts Man on 31 Counts in Prison Drone Plot Trial
It's disturbing to find out the inmates walking dogs were not supervised before this incident.
Ex-con convicted in scheme to smuggle drugs into prison via drone
Shortz is an ex-convict who was released from the Western Correctional Institution in April after serving time for assault. Police acting on a tip arrested him and another man outside the prison on the night of Aug. 22.
In Shortz' truck, they found a remote-controlled mini-helicopter and six plastic-wrapped packages containing prescription narcotics, synthetic marijuana, tobacco, pornographic videos and a cellphone — items worth a total of $35,000 to $40,000 to prisoners, one witness testified.
Police also recovered a handgun, though investigators say it exceeded the drone's cargo weight limit.
Maryland State Police Sgt. Andrew Farrell testified that Shortz told him he was a top man in a contraband ring and had made five or six drops since May at $4,000 each. He said he had used $20,000 of the proceeds to help pay for his new Ford pickup, Farrell said.
"He was almost boastful about it," Farrell said.
Jury Convicts Man on 31 Counts in Prison Drone Plot Trial
It's disturbing to find out the inmates walking dogs were not supervised before this incident.