Accountability.
Seven people, including two former Texas Department of Criminal Justice correctional officers, were arrested in connection with an alleged drone-based contraband operation targeting the Mark W. Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony, state officials announced April 2, 2026.
According to TDCJ, the agency and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General conducted an interdiction operation at the Michael Unit in January after learning that drones were being used to deliver large packages over the prison perimeter. Investigators reported seizing more than 100 cellphones, methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids and other narcotics.
People arrested
TDCJ identified the seven people charged with engaging in organized crime as Dalen Bright of Webster; Amber Smith of Missouri City; Mari Cazares of Dallas; Joshua Rider of Houston; Alyson Wells of Plano; John Pina of Krum; and Janet Gutherie of DeKalb. The agency identified Cazares and Gutherie as former TDCJ correctional officers.
The arrests and charges are allegations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Additional seizure
Officials said a search of Cazares’ apartment produced approximately 30 pounds of loose tobacco, four new cellphones, receipts for dozens of additional phones, packages of Bluetooth earbuds, about 50 bags resembling property bags issued to incarcerated people, and white clothing investigators believed was connected to smuggling activity.
The Michael Unit is a men’s prison in Anderson County near Tennessee Colony. TDCJ’s announcement did not identify any incarcerated people charged in the operation or provide court case numbers for the seven defendants.