Women accused of using drone to fly bird decoys into federal prison

GRANT PARISH, La. (KALB/Gray News) - Two Texas women were arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle drugs, phones and tobacco into a federal prison in Louisiana.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office said the women used a drone to fly in plastic crow decoys filled with the contraband.

The women said they were being paid $40,000 to smuggle the items in.

Melanie Jean Worthington, 38, of Joshua, Texas, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and taking contraband into a penal institution.

Kassy Marie Cole, 41, of Hurst, Texas, was arrested for possession of synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, taking contraband into a penal institution and an outstanding warrant.

The arrests are the ninth and 10th times suspects were caught trying to smuggle contraband into the Grant Parish federal prison in 2026.