Two leaders of a drug trafficking organization linked to the Aryan Family prison gang have pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Tacoma. Jesse James Bailey, 40, and his wife, Candace Bailey, 42, admitted to charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms offenses. Their sentencing is scheduled for February 28, 2025.
Jesse Bailey pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, which carries a ten-year mandatory minimum sentence. He also admitted to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and conspiracy to launder money. Prosecutors and defense counsel have agreed on recommending a sentence of 210 months in prison.
Candace Bailey confessed to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, illegally transferring a firearm to a prohibited person, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors recommend no more than ten years in prison for her; however, Chief Judge David G. Estudillo can impose any sentence allowed by law.
The FBI led an operation on March 22, 2023, resulting in the arrest of two dozen individuals including the Baileys. Law enforcement seized significant quantities of drugs and cash from locations in Washington and Arizona.
The Baileys will forfeit $699,268 as proceeds from criminal activities along with firearms and other items seized from their property. They admitted discussing illegal narcotics suppliers and buyers while seeking to launder drug proceeds through casinos and bank accounts.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks using federal resources.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI with support from multiple agencies including DEA, HSI, Tacoma Police Department among others. The prosecution is handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon and Max Shiner.