WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. – In the early hours of Saturday morning, a Washington County Deputy on patrol near the Washington State Prison was alerted by the unmistakable hum of a drone overhead at approximately 2:45 a.m.
Quick to act, the deputy tracked the drone’s path, witnessing its descent and landing on a roadway adjacent to the prison. Upon inspection, the drone was discovered to be carrying a package filled with contraband, leading the deputy to promptly disable it.
In response to this troubling discovery, deputies initiated a patrol of the Davisboro area, on the lookout for the individual operating the drone.
During their surveillance, a deputy noticed a vehicle speeding, prompting an attempted traffic stop. However, the driver refused to comply, triggering a high-speed chase onto Highway 88. Amidst the pursuit, passengers in the vehicle were observed discarding bags out of the windows.
The chase came to an end when deputies executed a successful PIT maneuver, immediately detaining one suspect. Meanwhile, two others attempted to evade capture by fleeing into the surrounding woods. With the support of GDC K9 units, the deputies managed to track down and arrest the two fleeing individuals.
In the aftermath, the discarded bags were retrieved and found to contain more contraband, adding to the evidence against the suspects involved in this elaborate scheme.
Charges are as follows:
Marquis Gilmore, 29 of Brookhaven, Ga., is charged with:
- Crossing Guard lines with drugs
- Possession of tools during commission of a crime
- Giving false name and DOB
- 3 counts of items prohibited by inmates
- Use of unmanned aircraft system
- Possession of marijuana with intent
- Possession of oxycodone with intent
Cecil Twillie, 18 of Loganville, Ga., is charged with:
- Crossing Guard lines with drugs
- Possession of tools during commission of a crime
- Obstruction of an Officer
- 3 counts of items prohibited by inmates
- Use of unmanned aircraft system
- Possession of marijuana with intent
- Possession of oxycodone with intent
Robert Young, 25 of Forest Park, Ga., is charged with:
- Driving on wrong side of road
- Failure to maintain lane
- Aggressive driving
- Littering from motor vehicle
- Fleeing to elude Officer
- Obstruction of Officer
- Crossing Guard lines with drugs
- Possession of tools during commission of a crime
- 3 counts of items prohibited by inmates
- Use of unmanned aircraft system
- Possession of marijuana with intent
- Possession of oxycodone with intent
This makes the 13th attempted prison drop that NewsChannel 6 has reported on in 2025:
1. 02/28/2025 – Prison drop arrest made at Washington State Prison, deputies seize drone with packages
2. 03/04/2025 – Three arrested following attempted prison drop at Washington State Prison…again
3. 03/11/2025 – Three charged in prison drop attempt in Davisboro, 3rd attempt this year
4. 04/03/2025 – Augusta man arrested for attempted prison drop in Washington County
5. 05/12/2025 – 2 men arrested for carrying contraband near Washington State Prison
6. 05/28/2025 – Albany teen arrested for attempted prison drop in Washington Co.
7. 06/06/2025 – Two women arrested for attempted prison contraband drop in Washington County
8. 06/12/2025 – Three arrested in Washington County for alleged attempted prison contraband drop
9. 06/17/2025 – “You’d think the message was loud and clear by now”, Washington Co. deputies foil 2 alleged prison drops
10. 10/04/2025 – Attempted prison drop leads to three arrests in Washington Co.
11. 10/10/2025 – Four arrested in connection with contraband drone operation in Washington County
12. 10/29/2025 – K-9 Rebel aids in capturing trespassers with contraband at state prison
