Vigilant Staff Observe Drone at Smith State Prison

Significant Contraband Recovered

FORSYTH, Ga. – Contraband continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of our staff, inmates and the citizens of Georgia, and we are determined to eradicate our facilities of this threat.  Through the diligence of our dedicated staff, a recent attempt at introduction of contraband occurred near Smith State Prison (SP) in Glennville, Georgia. 

Smith State Prison (SP) Warden Beasley and Southeast Region Office of Professional Standards (OPS) Agents were exiting the facility in the early hours of August 2nd when they observed a drone. GDC Agents began monitoring the drone’s flight pattern which led to a nearby residence, where they observed the drone crash into the roof. 

 Agents encountered parolee Moses Echols sitting in a vehicle in the yard of the residence with a drone in the back seat. Civilian Jaime Dean was also located in the yard, sitting in a separate vehicle with a large package sitting in the passenger floorboard. A third civilian, Dannaye Walker was located laying on the ground in a grassy area of the residence along with another drone and controller. All three individuals were taken into custody by OPS Agents and transported to the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office.  In addition to the three arrests, a search warrant was secured for the property and residence, which revealed additional items consistent with those used to facilitate the introduction of contraband into a state prison.  Civilian Sameerah Adams was also taken into custody by OPS Agents and transported to the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office.  Charges for the four individuals and an inventory of items seized are listed below.

“As we continue to remain diligent at preventing contraband from entering our facilities, our most important weapon in this fight remains our committed, dedicated staff,” said Commissioner Tyrone Oliver. “I am extremely confident and proud of our Officers, facility leadership, Agents and other staff who work around-the-clock to find and remove these items and we will continue to hold those who break the law accountable for their actions and work to bring justice to those who pose a threat to the safety of the public and to the safe operations of our prisons.”

 Warrants Secured:

• Sameerah Adams: Items Prohibited, O.C.G.A. 16-11-106; O.C.G.A. 16-13-30; Possession of Marijuana w/ Intent; O.C.G.A 16-11-106, Possession of Firearm during the Commission of a Felony
• Dannaye Walker: Items Prohibited, O.C.G.A. 16-11-106; O.C.G.A. 16-13-30; Possession of Marijuana w/ Intent
• Jamie Leigh Dean: Items Prohibited, O.C.G.A. 16-11-106; O.C.G.A. 16-13-30; Possession of Marijuana w/ Intent; O.C.G.A 16-11-106, Possession of Firearm during the Commission of a Felony; O.C.G.A. 16-11-160, Use of a Communication Device to Facilitate a Felony
• Moses Leroy Echols: Items Prohibited, O.C.G.A. 16-11-106; O.C.G.A. 16-13-30; Possession of Marijuana w/ Intent

 Multiple items were seized from the individuals and vehicles that are consistent with items used to facilitate the introduction of contraband into state prison facilities of Georgia and packaged items identified as contraband beyond the guard lines of the GDC.

• 1508 grams marijuana
• 10,100 grams tobacco
• 3 drones
• 4 drone controllers
• 1 loaded Taurus .357 magnum handgun
• 1 loaded .9 mm SCCY handgun
• 2 digital scales
• 6 cell phones
• 1 hotspot
• 10 rolls tape
• 4 vacuum sealer rolls
• 1 box black & milds
• 2 black duffel bags
• 1 gas mask
• 5 cellphone chargers
• 1 tube of super glue
• 12 large magnets
• 10 USB cords
• 2 SD cards
• 2 vacuum sealers
• 3 footballs
• 16 charging blocks