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-Editorial
Ardaniel Arnell Roberson was sentenced to three years in jail followed by 18 months of mandatory supervision for her involvement in a significant drone-smuggling operation at Calipatria State Prison. The operation, which spanned several months and involved the introduction of controlled substances and other contraband into the prison, culminated in Roberson’s arrest and guilty plea to multiple felony charges.
The investigation into Roberson’s actions began in February 2024 after suspicious packages containing illegal substances were discovered inside Calipatria State Prison. On February 27, 2024, a package was found in a secure area of the prison, suspected to have been dropped by a drone. Inside the package were items including suspected THC wax, tobacco, and other contraband.
Correctional Officer Francisco Burgueno, who led the investigation, worked closely with the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies to track the source of these packages. A second similar package was found on March 1, and on March 22, a third package was discovered containing dangerous drugs, including 52 grams of heroin and 16 grams of methamphetamine.
Law enforcement’s investigation took a significant step forward on April 19, 2024, when they observed a vehicle near the prison. A male passenger exited the vehicle, launched a drone towards the prison, and dropped a package containing over 14 grams of heroin, nearly 60 grams of methamphetamine, and additional contraband. After the drone was recovered by the female driver, later identified as Roberson, the vehicle was stopped at a Border Patrol checkpoint. Although no arrests were made at that time, the investigation moved forward.
Working with the District Attorney’s Office, Burgueno and his team obtained arrest and search warrants for Roberson and her accomplice. On May 23, 2024, Roberson was arrested at her home in Los Angeles County. During the search, law enforcement found two drones, 71 grams of methamphetamine, 154 grams of suspected THC wax, and materials consistent with the operation of drone-smuggling activities.
Following her arrest, Roberson was released on bail but faced strict conditions, including the requirement to submit to searches of her electronic devices. However, on August 6, 2024, during a court appearance, Roberson refused to comply with a search request for her phone, prompting the District Attorney’s Office to request her return to custody. After a court hearing, Judge Eran Bermudez ruled that Roberson had violated the terms of her release, and her bail was increased to $1 million.
On September 11, 2024, Roberson pleaded guilty to four felony charges: transportation of heroin, distribution of methamphetamine, introducing cannabis into a state prison, and conspiracy to operate a drone above a state prison. In her sentencing on December 12, 2024, Judge Monica Lepe-Negrete imposed a sentence of three years in jail followed by 18 months of mandatory supervision.
The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by drug trafficking in California’s prisons and the importance of collaboration between state agencies to combat these efforts. In a statement following the sentencing, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Secretary Jeff Macomber praised the efforts of the Calipatria State Prison Investigative Services Unit and its partners. “This arrest serves as a strong warning to drug smugglers that we will work diligently alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure they face the consequences of their actions,” Macomber said.
