The seal of the U.S. Justice Department is seen on the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
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A Florida man has been indicted on federal charges on Thursday accusing him of conspiring with inmates to smuggle fentanyl and contraband cellphones into prisons using drones, federal prosecutors said Friday.
A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment against James Key III, 45, of Eustis, Florida, charging him with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.
Court documents allege that between Dec. 16, 2024, and Aug. 17, Key worked with the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmates to introduce fentanyl and phones into facilities in Atwater, Florida, and South Carolina.
Prosecutors said the group applied fentanyl onto paper, bundled the sheets, wrapped them in synthetic grass and delivered them by drone.
The case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Spivak is prosecuting.
If convicted, Key faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
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