7 arrested, including ex-correctional officers, in drone-run contraband ring at Texas prison, officials say

Seven civilians – including two former correctional officers – were arrested after investigators uncovered a drone‑driven contraband pipeline feeding the Mark W. Michael Unit in East Texas, according to the Texas prison system's internal watchdog.

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General made the arrests following a January 2026 interdiction operation at the Michael Unit, where authorities had learned drones were dropping large bundles of illegal items. The sting resulted in the seizure of more than 100 cellphones, methamphetamines, synthetic cannabinoids, and other narcotics, officials said.

The Mark W. Michael Unit sits in Tennessee Colony, about 99 miles southeast of Dallas and roughly 155 miles north‑northwest of Houston in Anderson County, just 12 miles west of Palestine, the nearest city.  

"Let this be a clear warning: if you try to smuggle contraband into TDCJ correctional facilities, you will be caught, and you will be held accountable," Inspector General Lance Coleman said.

Three of the seven people charged with engaging in organized crime are from North Texas:

• Alyson Wells of Plano, booked into the Plano City Jail.

• John Pina of Krum, booked into the Denton County Jail.

• Mari Cazares of Dallas, a former TDCJ correctional officer, booked into the Dallas County Jail.

A search warrant executed at Cazares' apartment turned up about 30 pounds of loose tobacco, four new cellphones, and receipts for dozens more, multiple packs of Bluetooth earbuds, roughly 50 inmate‑style property bags, and white clothing believed to be tied to smuggling activity.

Others arrested include:

• Dalen Bright of Webster, booked into the Galveston County Jail

• Amber Smith of Missouri City, booked into the Fort Bend County Jail.

• Joshua Rider of Houston, booked into the Harris County Jail.

• Janet Gutherie of DeKalb, a former TDCJ correctional officer, booked into the Bowie County Jail.

State prison officials said the arrests reflect the growing danger posed by contraband networks inside Texas lockups.  

"This operation underscores both the risks posed by contraband and the strength of our response," TDCJ Executive Director Bobby Lumpkin said. "We will remain relentless in our fight to stop illegal narcotics from entering and harming those in our facilities."