Two leaders of a drug trafficking organization linked to the Aryan Family prison gang have pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms offenses. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman following their court appearance in Tacoma.
Jesse James Bailey, 40, admitted to possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which adds an additional five-year term. Furthermore, he confessed to conspiracy to launder money. Both prosecution and defense have agreed on recommending a 210-month prison sentence for him.
Candace Bailey, 42, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and illegally transferring a firearm to a prohibited person. She also admitted involvement in conspiracy to commit money laundering. Prosecutors will recommend no more than ten years in prison for her; however, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo has the discretion to impose any lawful sentence.
The FBI led a coordinated operation against this criminal organization on March 22, 2023, resulting in the arrest of two dozen individuals including the Baileys. Law enforcement seized numerous firearms and large quantities of drugs from various locations in Washington and Arizona.
As part of their plea agreements, the Baileys are forfeiting $699,268 along with firearms and other items as proceeds from their criminal activities. They admitted discussing suppliers and buyers of illegal narcotics and acknowledged attempts to launder proceeds through casinos and bank accounts.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks using federal resources combined with state and local law enforcement efforts.
The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI with assistance from several agencies including DEA, HSI, Tacoma Police Department among others. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon and Max Shiner.
