CUMBERLAND, Md. – The second of three suspects in a plot to fly contraband aboard a drone into a maximum-security Maryland state prison has pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors.
Thirty-year-old Keith Russell pleaded guilty Thursday in Cumberland to attempting to deliver tobacco, rolling papers and a cellphone to the nearby Western Correctional Institution in August.
Prosecutor Erich Bean says he'll request a 10-year prison term at Russell's sentencing, which hasn't been scheduled.
Defense attorney Stephen Tully says the Silver Spring man picked the wrong time to accompany co-defendant Thaddeus Shortz.
They were arrested outside the prison. Police found a remote-controlled mini-helicopter and packages that also contained prescription narcotics, synthetic marijuana and pornographic DVDs.
Shortz was convicted of 31 offenses Jan. 15.
The third defendant, inmate Charles Brooks, is scheduled for trial in March.
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