A Pierce County woman, C’La Morales, 39, has been sentenced to 84 months in prison for her involvement in a drug trafficking ring linked to Aryan prison gangs. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Morales played a significant role as a high-level redistributor within the drug network and was charged with both drug and firearms possession.
Morales was associated with Jesse Bailey, the leader of one of the distribution rings. Bailey has admitted guilt to charges including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of firearms related to drug trafficking. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Court Judge David Estudillo remarked on Morales' responsibility for distributing large quantities of drugs, acknowledging the negative impact it had on individuals and their communities.
Court records indicate that Morales trafficked fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine while possessing multiple firearms. Wiretap evidence showed she handled substantial quantities of these drugs. Law enforcement discovered thousands of fentanyl pills disguised as prescription Oxycodone in her storage locker along with heroin and several firearms.
Prosecutors requested a ten-year sentence due to Morales' history with armed drug trafficking offenses dating back to 2019 when she was previously convicted for similar crimes while on warrant status for another case. Despite her addiction issues requiring treatment, concerns remain about her potential return to criminal activities.
Following her prison term, Morales will be subject to five years of supervised release. Her prosecution is part of an extensive investigation into South Sound-based drug rings that led to numerous arrests in March 2023 involving significant law enforcement resources across multiple states.
The operation saw law enforcement seize substantial amounts of drugs, cash, and weapons from various locations during coordinated raids involving federal charges against two dozen individuals.
Jesse Bailey is set for sentencing on May 16, 2025, followed by his wife Candace Bailey on June 13, 2025.
This case forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative aimed at dismantling major criminal networks through collaborative efforts among federal and local agencies.
The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI alongside contributions from several agencies including DEA, HSI, Washington State Department of Corrections among others with additional support from Tacoma Police Department and other local law enforcement entities.
Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner, and Jehiel Baer are handling the prosecution of this case.