Press Release

Five defendants are members of one south King County family

Seattle - Law enforcement fanned out across the country and in western Washington yesterday arresting 17 people on indictments and criminal complaints for a multi- state drug trafficking conspiracy. The two-year investigation alleges that the trafficking ring has been linked to a fatal fentanyl overdose on the Lummi Nation reservation in Whatcom County. Law enforcement in Georgia, Missouri, Texas, and Arizona executed search warrants and some arrests. Ten of 13 defendants arrested in Washington remain detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, pending hearings later this week and next week. Three defendants were released on bond.

"This investigation revealed that the trafficking organization was a supplier to a community that was rocked by four fentanyl overdose deaths in just four days," said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. "Fentanyl continues to claim lives in our community - especially in our Tribal communities. We will do all we can to stop the flow of this deadly drug."

"The significance of this case is that a family drug trafficking organization expanded from Seattle beyond Washington state to locations across the country," said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. "This group distributed more than 800,000 fentanyl pills throughout the United States, including in Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Montana, and Georgia. Together with our partners, this demonstrates the national impact of today's operations by disrupting this source of supply."

The drug ring was led by Marquis Jackson, 31, who splits time between Atlanta and the Renton, Washington home of his parents, defendants Mandel Jackson, 50, and Matelita (Marty) Jackson, 49. Also linked to the Renton family home were defendants Markell Jackson, 21, and Miracle Patu-Jackson, 22. Members of the Jackson family are indicted for various conspiracy counts including drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracies. Records filed in the case link some of the Jacksons to a Seattle area street gang.

Markell Jackson is a fugitive still being sought by law enforcement. Matelita (Marty) Jackson, Miracle Patu-Jackson and Adean Batinga were released on bond.

The other defendants indicted for drug trafficking include:

Edgar Valdez, 26, of Phoenix

Keondre Jackson, 29, Wichita, Kansas

Michael Young Jr., 43, Tacoma, Washington

Sir-Terrique Devon Milam, 20, Federal Way, Washington

Tyrell Lewis, 32, Federal Way, Washington - a fugitive

Robert Johnson, 20, Renton, Washington

Diyana Abraha, 22, Seattle - a fugitive

Adean Batinga, 20, Burien, Washington

Tianna Karastan, 21, Seattle -a fugitive

Diallo Redd, 34, Tacoma, arrested in Montana on a Montana indictment.

Two additional defendants were arrested in the Seattle area in connection with the serving of yesterday's search warrants:

Chad Conti, 47, Covington, Washington

Phillip Lamont Alexander, 48, Des Moines, Washington

Over the course of the investigation law enforcement seized more than 846,000 fentanyl pills, nearly 7 kilograms of fentanyl powder, 7 kilograms of cocaine and 29 firearms. They also seized more than $116,000 in cash.

In Whatcom County, teams led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested four people on criminal complaints for fentanyl distribution. According to the complaints, the Whatcom drug traffickers were linked by phone communication and surveillance to the Jackson drug trafficking organization.

In September 2023, four tribal citizens died of fentanyl overdose within a period of just four days, prompting the Lummi Indian Business Council to declare a state of emergency in response to the escalating fentanyl crisis.

Tribal and federal partners examined the phone of one of the overdose victims and found connections to the Jackson Drug Trafficking Organization. DEA, the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs have continued to work closely with the Lummi Nation Police to identify additional members of this drug trafficking organization with the goal of stopping the flow of fentanyl into Indian Country and elsewhere.

Those arrested on complaints this week include:

Robert Bellair, 41, Ferndale, Washington

Thomas J. Morris, 42, Bellingham, Washington

Patrick James, 40, Bellingham, Washington

Ronald Finkbonner, 50, Bellingham, Washington

All four are charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

"The Drug Enforcement Administration's top priority is to combat fentanyl traffickers responsible for deaths and misery in our communities," said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. "This case highlights the lengths to which DEA and our partners will go to ensure people trafficking fentanyl are held accountable for the suffering they cause."

"The Seattle Police Department appreciates the collaboration with our federal partners in combatting the scourge of the fentanyl crisis and the proliferation of guns from drug trafficking organizations," said Deputy Chief Eric Barden of the Seattle Police Department. "Fentanyl caused over 1,000 overdose deaths in King County last year. Seattle Police are delighted to partner with the FBI, DEA, USAO and other state and local jurisdictions to dismantle a drug distribution network undoubtedly responsible for deaths in our community."

The charges contained in the indictment and criminal complaints are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, (Seattle, Phoenix, Atlanta, Kansas City, Dallas, Las Vegas, Montana), DEA (Seattle, Kansas City, Wichita, Montana), the Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriff's Office, Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, the Lummi Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and United States Border Patrol Blaine Sector Targeting and Intelligence Division.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Crystal Correa, and Michael Harder.

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Updated October 3, 2024