Federal prosecutors have announced charges against a Lancaster man who allegedly used a drone to deliver narcotics to buyers, including a lethal dose of fentanyl that killed a woman in 2023.
Christopher Laney, 34, was charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, four counts of knowingly operating an unregistered aircraft in furtherance of a narcotics crime, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors unsealed an indictment Wednesday in a federal court in Los Angeles outlining allegations that Laney used a drone, which was not registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, to transport fentanyl from his home to a nearby church parking lot in January 2023 .
“Laney distributed the fentanyl to a third party who provided it to the victim, identified in the indictment as ‘JK,’ who was found dead the next day after suffering a fatal drug overdose,” the DOJ statement said.
Investigators found footage captured by the drone that shows Laney using the same drone to transport and distribute drugs multiple times, including three in particular in December 2022 and January 2023.
Prosecutors also say Laney also possessed methamphetamine and fentanyl at his residence in February 2023, and knowingly possessed multiple firearms — including an AR-15 style rifle without a serial number, commonly referred to as a “ghost gun,” and two 9mm semi-automatic ghost pistol pistols in his room.”
Laney faces between 25 years and life in federal prison if convicted of all charges, the statement said.
