Cellphones, other contraband seized after drone flies near Marlboro County jail; person arrested

MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — A person was arrested over the weekend after a drone was flown near Evans Correctional Institution in Bennettsville, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday.

Marlboro County deputies received a call from the Department of Corrections about a drone being flown near the jail, the sheriff’s office said. When they arrived, they found a suspect running into a wooded area near the jail and quickly established a perimeter.

Deputies contacted the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office’s dog tracking team for assistance, and Arnez Thompson was found about four hours later. The sheriff’s office shared photos of what appear to be cellphones, marijuana and other contraband that were seized from the drone.

Thompson was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, contraband and trafficking methamphetamine.

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Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here .

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