Seattle – A 50-year-old repeat offender has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by U.S. District Court in Seattle for possessing firearms while distributing drugs and violating supervision conditions from prior convictions. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.
Ruchell Gilbert, who was on supervised release following a 2012 conviction for illegal firearms possession and drug trafficking, became involved in a shoot-out in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, resulting in the death of one woman. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez stated, “A young woman died that night from a gun battle on Capitol Hill. That is exactly the kind of danger that occurs when you have people dealing drugs while armed with firearms.”
U.S. Attorney Gorman commented, “This case is a stark reminder of why it is illegal for felons to possess firearms.” She further noted the tragic consequences of Gilbert's actions, which led to the death of 20-year-old Essence Greene Madden and devastated her family and community.
Court records indicate that Gilbert began his supervised release on May 30, 2022, after being released from prison. In July 2023, during a street racing event on Capitol Hill, an argument over a blocked car escalated into gunfire involving Gilbert. Surveillance footage showed him flashing a gun before exchanging shots with another individual, resulting in Madden's fatal injury.
Gilbert left the scene but later sought treatment at Harborview Medical Center for a gunshot wound. Federal probation officers subsequently obtained warrants to arrest him and search his vehicle, discovering methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, cocaine, marijuana, and a loaded firearm inside his truck; however, the firearm used in the shootout remains missing.
On March 14, 2024, Gilbert pleaded guilty to Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute and Carrying a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime.
In court today, Essence Greene Madden’s father expressed his grief: “The decision that Mr. Gilbert made changed the lives of our family... My child did not deserve to die in the manner that she died...”
Prosecutors highlighted Gilbert’s history of violent crimes as they requested a 192-month sentence: “Mr. Gilbert appeared to be doing well on supervision... In retrospect... Mr. Gilbert continued to deal drugs and continued to carry firearms – firearms he was more than willing to use if he felt himself provoked.”
Judge Martinez also imposed five years of supervised release following Gilbert's prison term.
The investigation was conducted by the Seattle Police Department and U.S. Probation Office with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Vince Lombardi.