Tessa M. Gorman, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington
A Renton, Washington resident has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking operation linked to Aryan prison gangs. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced that Shawn Ellis, aged 32, was arrested in March 2023 after a two-year investigation by federal agents. During the arrest, authorities discovered large quantities of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine in Ellis' car, along with four firearms, including a machine gun.
Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo remarked at the sentencing hearing, “We’re talking about a significant amount of controlled substances,” and noted the community's concern over the presence of firearms.
Court records reveal that Ellis was actively redistributing drugs within the network. He acquired drugs from one part of the conspiracy and sold them for profit. At times, he ordered up to 30 pounds of methamphetamine. Upon his arrest, agents seized various drugs including fentanyl and methamphetamine as well as cocaine and counterfeit Xanax pills from his possession.
Ellis had four guns in his vehicle for protection: a loaded pistol between the driver’s seat and center console, an SK-15 rifle concealed in a violin case, a shotgun, and another loaded pistol. Body armor was also found in his car.
In addition to these items, five more firearms were located in a storage shed under Ellis' control along with ammunition, body armor, and a homemade silencer. The shed also contained cash and valuables believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking activities.
Ellis has previous felony drug convictions which prohibit him from possessing firearms legally.
Prosecutors requested a 15-year sentence due to the danger posed by Ellis’ actions. They stated: “But the danger Ellis posed to the community does not stop (with his possession of a silencer). He carried guns in his car along with his drugs... This rifle proved to be a machinegun that fires fully automatically.”
The March 22nd coordinated law enforcement operation resulted in two dozen arrests on federal charges involving ten SWAT teams and over 350 officers across Washington and Arizona. Authorities seized numerous weapons alongside substantial quantities of various narcotics during this takedown.
Jesse Bailey is identified as the top-level leader of this drug ring; he faces sentencing on June 13th while co-conspirator Candace Bailey will be sentenced on May 16th.
This case forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal networks threatening national security through collaborative efforts among multiple agencies.
The FBI led this investigation with support from DEA, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Washington State Department of Corrections among others including local police departments across different counties such as Tacoma Police Department & Pierce County Sheriff’s Office who played crucial roles throughout its duration.
Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon Max Shiner Jehiel Baer are prosecuting this case.