A Shelton, Washington resident, Michael Warren, has been sentenced to 90 months in prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring linked to Aryan prison gangs. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman following the sentencing in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
Michael Warren was apprehended in March 2023 after a two-year investigation into drug trafficking activities. A search of his residence revealed two pill presses, over 640,000 fentanyl pills, and a kilo of fentanyl powder capable of producing thousands more pills. Additionally, authorities found 23 firearms at his stash house.
Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo commented on the seriousness of the crime during the sentencing hearing: “the crime is unquestionably serious based on the amount of narcotics found at his residence and the presence of firearms.”
U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman remarked that "This defendant demonstrates that drug trafficking is not just a young person’s game," highlighting Warren's role as a key figure in transporting, manufacturing, and distributing drugs within the community.
Court records show that Warren was a trusted associate within one of the distribution cells led by Bryson Gill. He was responsible for manufacturing pills and traveling to Arizona multiple times to collect methamphetamine and fentanyl from suppliers.
Bryson Gill pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm related to drug trafficking crimes; he is set for sentencing on May 9, 2025.
On March 22, 2023, law enforcement conducted a coordinated operation resulting in two dozen arrests on federal charges with participation from ten SWAT teams and over 350 officers across Washington and Arizona. Seized items included significant quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl pills and powder, heroin, cash totaling over $330,000 from various locations.
The top leader Jesse Bailey faces sentencing on May 16, 2025; his wife Candace Bailey will be sentenced on June 13, 2025.
This case forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks through multi-agency cooperation involving federal and local agencies such as FBI and DEA among others.
Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner, and Jehiel Baer are prosecuting this case.