Prosecutors say drug dealer used drone to deliver fentanyl and other drugs to buyers, including dose that killed woman in 2023

Federal prosecutors have announced charges against a Lancaster man who allegedly used a drone to deliver narcotics to buyers, including a deadly dose of fentanyl that killed a woman in 2023. 

Christopher Laney, 34, was charged with one count of distribution in fentanyl resulting in death, four counts of knowingly and willingly operating an unregistered aircraft in furtherance of a felony 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 firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to a statement from the United States Attorney's Office. 

Prosecutors unsealed an indictment on Wednesday in a Los Angeles federal court that outlines allegations that Laney used a drone, which was not registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, to transport fentanyl from his home to a church parking lot nearby in Jan. 2023. 

"Laney distributed the fentanyl to a third party that provided it to the victim, identified in the indictment as 'J.K.', who was found dead the next day after she suffered a fatal drug overdose," said the DOJ's statement. 

Investigators found footage taken by the drone that allegedly shows Laney using the same drone to transport and distribute drugs on multiple occasions, including three in particular in Dec. 2022 and Jan. 2023. 

Prosecutors also say that in Feb. 2023, "Laney also possessed methamphetamine and fentanyl at his residence, and knowingly possessed multiple firearms – including an AR-15-style rifle lacking a serial number, commonly referred to as a 'ghost gun,' and two 9mm semiautomatic ghost-gun pistols, inside of his room."

Laney faces between 25 years and life in federal prison if convicted of all charges, the statement said.