A Tacoma resident, David A. McKean, has been sentenced to 52 months in prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl within the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac. This sentencing, announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller, follows McKean's smuggling of drugs into the facility, ultimately resulting in near-fatal fentanyl poisonings of two inmates.
U.S. District Judge John H. Chun underscored the gravity of McKean's actions during the sentencing. He remarked, "a serious offense," and highlighted the importance of keeping "deadly drugs out of penal institutions."
Court documents outline that McKean attended a supervised release hearing on September 8, 2023, carrying heroin and fentanyl. After being ordered to FDC-SeaTac, McKean ingested drug-filled balloons to smuggle them into the prison. Upon his arrival, he distributed the substances to other inmates. This led to two instances of overdoses requiring life-saving interventions with naloxone, one of which necessitated hospitalization.
The investigation, conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations, culminated in a search of McKean's cell, where heroin, fentanyl, suboxone, and other contraband were discovered.
Alongside his drug-related charges, McKean was also found in violation of 28 supervised release requirements related to a previous federal conviction. The court allocated four months for these violations and 48 months for contraband distribution, totaling a 52-month sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Dane A. Westermeyer is leading the prosecution.
