Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Alexander Kosnicki, 46 of Spokane Valley, Washington, was sentenced on one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. Kosnicki was convicted of those crimes on February 13, 2024, following a jury trial. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice imposed a sentence of 70 months in federal prison to be followed by 6 years of supervised release.

According to court documents and information disclosed at trial and sentencing, on the night of November 22, 2022, Kosnicki was sleeping in the lobby of an apartment building in downtown Spokane. Residents of the building alerted security.

Security guards searched Kosnicki and located a small amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills as well as a handgun in Kosnicki's jacket pocket. Security then called Spokane Police. At the time Kosnicki entered the apartment building carrying these illicit items, Kosnicki had a prior federal conviction for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Felon in Possession of a Firearm out of the Western District of Washington and was not allowed to possess a firearm.

Spokane Police officers searched Kosnicki. During the search, officers located $1,147 in cash in Kosnicki's right sock and located two large bags of fentanyl pills in Kosnicki's left sock.

"Mr. Kosnicki illegally possessed a firearm and was distributing deadly fentanyl in our communities. His actions contributed to the growing epidemic of drug use in our society," stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. "Our office has been prosecuting fentanyl cases vigorously as part of our ongoing efforts to build safer and stronger communities. Fentanyl is particularly lethal, and we are proactively working to prevent the tragedy it causes to Eastern Washington families on a daily basis."

"Fentanyl and firearms are a lethal combination, and I am gratified that the DEA and our partners could hold Mr. Kosnicki accountable for his behavior," said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. "Our community is safer because of this sentence."

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spokane Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Perez.