A Tacoma man, Marquise Tolbert, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of drug trafficking and illegal firearms possession. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the plea. Tolbert, 29, was arrested in June 2023 and has been held in federal custody since then. He is set for sentencing by U.S. District Judge Tana Lin on June 18, 2025.
Court records reveal that Tolbert admitted to possessing a firearm on June 1, 2023. He was apprehended at his Tacoma residence under a Washington Department of Corrections warrant. Authorities discovered a Ruger 5.7 pistol and loaded magazine at his home. Due to a September 2022 conviction for illegal firearm possession in King County Superior Court, Tolbert is prohibited from owning firearms.
The FBI Safe Streets task force, DEA, and Seattle Police Gun Violence Reduction Unit were investigating a drug trafficking organization when they intercepted conversations involving Tolbert discussing a shoot-out in Federal Way. This led investigators to identify individuals involved with firearms as part of their criminal activities. Surveillance confirmed Tolbert's purchase of the Ruger firearm from another conspiracy member.
Further investigation revealed that Tolbert participated in distributing controlled substances like oxycodone shipped from Arizona to Washington State.
Illegal firearms possession carries up to 15 years imprisonment while drug distribution could result in up to 20 years behind bars. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend no more than seven years for both counts under the plea agreement terms; however, Judge Lin will determine the final sentence based on guidelines and statutory factors.
In an earlier incident from 2020, Tolbert was involved in a gang-related shootout at Seattle's downtown area where one woman died and seven others were injured; he was acquitted of murder but convicted for illegal firearm possession after his defense argued he did not initiate gunfire.
The case has been investigated by the FBI alongside the Seattle Police Department and DEA focusing efforts on removing guns from public access.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs is prosecuting this case.