LOS ANGELES — A Southern California man was arrested Wednesday after federal prosecutors said he used a drone to deliver fentanyl and other drugs to customers, including one who died from a fentanyl overdose.
Christopher Patrick Laney, 34, of Lancaster, California, was arrested on several charges, including distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, four counts of knowingly operating an unregistered aircraft in furtherance of a crime narcotics, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. and fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Estrada did not immediately respond to an email requesting information about an attorney representing Laney.
Between December 2022 and January 2023, Laney allegedly used an unregistered drone to deliver fentanyl and other narcotics from his home to a nearby church parking lot, where another person received the drugs and gave them to customers, including a woman who died of a fatal overdose in January 2023, federal prosecutors said.
Video captured by the drone showed Laney using the drone to distribute drugs at least three times, they said.
A grand jury indictment also accuses Laney of having an AR-15 and two 9mm semiautomatic handguns in his home, federal prosecutors said. The firearms, called “ghost guns” by law enforcement officials, were missing serial numbers, making them difficult to trace.
If convicted of all charges, Laney faces 25 years to life in prison.