Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Florida Man Indicted for Fentanyl Smuggling Scheme Using Drones
ANTHONY SITE PHOTO
By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 3 weeks ago on
August 29, 2025

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)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

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.

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email

RELATED TOPICS:

Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend