A Lancaster man was indicted Wednesday by a federal grand jury for his alleged use of a drone to deliver fentanyl and other narcotics to buyers, one of whom died of an overdose.
Christopher Patrick “Crany” Laney, 34, was charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, four counts of operating an unregistered aircraft in furtherance of a felony related to narcotics, one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and one count of possession of firearms in connection with a drug trafficking crime, according to the grand jury indictment.
Federal prosecutors alleged that on several occasions in December 2022 and January 2023, Laney used an unregistered drone to transport fentanyl and other narcotics from his home to the parking lot of a nearby church, where someone collected the drugs before distributing them to buyers. At least one of those people included a woman who died of an overdose in January 2023.
The larger federal indictment also accuses Laney of being in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl in his home, as well as several firearms without serial numbers — weapons known as “ghost guns.” The firearms include an AR-15 rifle and two 9mm semi-automatic pistols.
Laney faces a minimum sentence of 25 years in federal prison and up to life in prison if convicted on all counts.
