Bill Cosby 'targeted by media drone in Pennsylvania prison yard'

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A drone flown over the prison holding Bill Cosby caused the facility to be temporarily locked down last week, according to new reports.

The drone was reportedly sent by a media outlet to snap photos of the disgraced comedian at the SCI Phoenix in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, where he has been locked up since he was sentenced to three-to-10 years on three sexual assault charges.

At the time of the incident, Cosby was being escorted around the prison yard. The 81-year-old needs an an escort to help him navigate the yard due to his poor eyesight.

According to TMZ, prison security detected the drone and immediately placed a lockdown on the prison for an entire day.

Amy Worden, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, did not confirm whether or not the prison was on lockdown last week. She said the Department of Corrections does not discuss security matters.

“The agency has installed drone detection systems as part of enhanced security measures at its prisons,” Ms Worden told the Independent. “Flying drones over prisons in Pennsylvania is against the law and the agency will work with law enforcement to prosecute perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law.”

Andrew Wyatt, Cosby’s spokesman since he was tried twice and convicted, told USA Today that he believes the drone belonged to a media outlet. The publicist said he had previously complained about media drones seen flying over Cosby’s home outside of Philadelphia.

It is uncertain whether the drone was able to take photos of Cosby.

No other information about the drone was available.