SC man sentenced to prison time for flying drone over prison yard

COLUMBIA — A Sumter man will spend just over a year in federal prison after pleading guilty to flying a drone over a state prison yard, a federal judge decided Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel sentenced Quinzell Robinson, 47, to one year and one day after he pleaded guilty to operating an unregistered aircraft, which violates Federal Aviation Administration laws, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Early in the morning of March 14, 2025, police received reports of a drone flying over Lieber Correctional Facility in Ridgeville. Officers spotted Robinson leaving the woods with a drone and a bag, and security footage later showed inmates retrieving a package dropped in the prison yard.

Bill banning drones from flying too close to prisons, military installations advances in SC Senate

Flight data on Robinson’s drone showed it flying over the same spot where the package landed at the same time, according to prosecutors.

Robinson’s cellphone had photos and videos of the high-security prison, as well as text messages with an inmate about delivering contraband using drones.

“Correctional facilities cannot safely operate when individuals on the outside coordinate with inmates to deliver contraband over prison fences using drones,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling, who has personal experience as the previous head of the state’s prison system. “This case sends a clear message that those who attempt to use technology to undermine prison security will be investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable for their actions.”

A law passed unanimously by legislators earlier this year strengthens state penalties for flying a drone over a prison. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Since 2018, anyone convicted of flying a drone too close to a prison could face up to 30 days in jail. But law enforcement officers told legislators the law lacked teeth, allowing many people to escape prosecution.

The new law expanded the punishments to as many as six months in prison for a first offense, one year for a second offense, and two years for any further offenses.

Using the drone to deliver contraband or to map out a prison in an effort to find security gaps could face up to five years in prison.