A Spanaway, Washington man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his involvement in a drug distribution ring operating in the Puget Sound region. Sean Michael Moinette, aged 46, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo at the U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced that Moinette had been detained since March 2023 following the arrest of over two dozen conspirators linked to Aryan prison gangs. At the sentencing hearing, Judge Estudillo remarked on the severe impact of drug trafficking on the community.
Gorman stated, "This defendant was deeply involved in distributing drugs, arranging couriers, and seeking various sources of supply." She noted that despite being informed about the strength and overdose risk of his fentanyl, Moinette continued distributing it.
Court records identified Moinette as a mid-level manager connected to Aryan Family and Omerta prison gangs. A wiretap investigation during summer 2022 revealed he purchased large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl regularly. Even after discussing with his supplier about customers overdosing, he continued distributing fentanyl powder.
In recorded calls, Moinette discussed using women as "live shipping containers" for transporting fentanyl out of state. Judge Estudillo expressed disbelief at these discussions being mere talk.
Moinette was also heard planning a break-in at a police impound yard to retrieve drugs from an impounded vehicle; however, this plan did not materialize.
The arrests occurred on March 22, 2023, involving ten SWAT teams and over 350 officers across Washington and Arizona. Authorities seized numerous firearms and significant quantities of drugs including methamphetamine and fentanyl pills along with cash totaling more than $330,000 from multiple locations.
Prosecutors sought a 13-year sentence citing Moinette's continued distribution despite knowing its deadly consequences and threatening violence against couriers transporting drugs.
Moinette is one among eight members sentenced so far within this conspiracy; others have received sentences ranging from months up to 13 years while ringleader Jesse James Bailey awaits sentencing next month.
This case forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aiming at dismantling high-level drug traffickers through coordinated efforts among federal agencies such as FBI alongside DEA and local law enforcement bodies like Tacoma Police Department among others involved throughout this operation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Max Shiner along with Zach Dillon & Jehiel Baer are prosecuting this case.