2 Lexington prisons part of major drone smuggling conspiracy, feds say

Taylor Six, Lexington Herald-Leader on Jun 25, 2026

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — Two Lexington federal prisons have been connected to a large, multi-year drone smuggling conspiracy, according to a federal indictment originating in Georgia.

The Federal Medical Center in Lexington and Federal Correctional Institution Manchester were listed as two of 10 federal prisons where cell phones, drugs, weapons and cigarettes were smuggled as part of the conspiracy, which spanned over a period of three years.

The federal indictment, unsealed Wednesday, charged 12 people with drone smuggling operations into 10 prisons across eight states.

The operation was based out of Macon, Georgia, where a former day care center dubbed “The Lab” would house the materials and operate the drones.

At least three drones were used to drop contraband off at the Lexington and Manchester prisons on three different occasions, according to the indictment.

Lametheus Douglas, 47, was housed at both the Manchester and Lexington prisons during contraband drops, which investigators say he carried out using a contraband cell phone.

Douglas coordinated with other defendants, based in Georgia, who flew the drones to the Kentucky prisons where they dropped cell phones, tobacco, and cigarettes, according to the indictment.

Douglas is charged with one count of conspiracy to provide contraband in prison and is facing a maximum of five years in prison.

The case is the largest federal prosecution to date involving coordinated drone operations to smuggle illegal items into prisons, according to the press release. In total, 12 people have been charged and the conspiracy spanned across eight states.

All defendants are in federal custody.

A spokesperson for the Kentucky prisons was not immediately available for comment.