On October 16, 2026, United States District Judge Edwards, Jr., sentenced three defendants for federal drug-trafficking offenses, two of which involved drone-based smuggling operations at the United States Penitentiary in Pollock, and one involving a fentanyl-distribution conspiracy.
Melanie Worthington, of Joshua, Texas, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Possess a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute and Providing Contraband into Prison. She previously pled guilty to the charge in June 2026.
Yoan Hernandez, of West Park, Florida, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. He previously pled guilty to the charge in June 2026.
Kedrick Moses, of Colfax, was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. He previously pleaded guilty to the charge in June 2026.
According to court documents, on March 8, 2026, Worthington conspired with another to possess and distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, and to introduce that methamphetamine into USP-Pollock using a drone. The package was designed to look like a crow and contained more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
In the early morning, investigators received reports of drone activity near the facility. Detectives located a vehicle occupied by Worthington and a co-conspirator in which a drone box and a drone remote-control device attached to a cell phone were found. A search of the vehicle further revealed a crow-shaped package containing cigars, tobacco, and synthetic-marijuana-soaked papers.
Penitentiary staff located a second crow-shaped package containing more than 100 grams of methamphetamine, bundles believed to be THC concentrate, charging cords, SIM cards, and wireless earbuds. A search of Worthington's hotel room revealed a third crow-shaped package along with rolling papers, charging cords, cell phones, and tobacco.
Per court documents, on December 6, 2024, the Grant Parish Sheriff's Office began investigating a trespassing complaint near USP-Pollock. Surveillance cameras captured three individuals walking along the property line at approximately 4:30 a.m., with one appearing to carry a drone. Deputies later located Hernandez at a nearby Airbnb after the property owner reported suspicious activity. Officers were informed that a drone had been observed flying in the same area earlier that morning.
After deputies executed a search warrant, they discovered a co-conspirator hiding inside the residence. The search revealed two drones, drone equipment, methamphetamine, marijuana, a 9mm handgun, artificial turf to disguise packages, packaging materials, additional methamphetamine, and packaged cellphones in a rental vehicle outside.
Laboratory testing confirmed that 776 grams of the recovered methamphetamine was 98 percent pure, with approximately two additional kilograms recovered of lesser purity, along with six pounds of marijuana and 50 sheets of suspected K2. Hernandez admitted that he intended to operate a drone to deliver drugs into the prison and then receive a percentage of the drug trafficking proceeds.
According to court documents, between January 1 and May 21, 2025, Moses conspired with others to distribute fentanyl throughout the Western District of Louisiana. During the conspiracy, Moses supplied fentanyl to a co-conspirator for redistribution, and when that individual was unavailable, Moses directed another individual to conduct the distribution instead.
Moses admitted the conspiracy involved at least 40 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, and at least 10 grams of a mixture containing a fentanyl analogue (a chemical derivative of the drug).