Rayshaun Ducos, 27, from Honolulu, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possessing and intending to distribute cocaine and possessing firearms related to his drug trafficking operation. The sentence was delivered by Senior U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright. Ducos pleaded guilty in December 2024 to charges that included distributing cocaine to a U.S. Marine who subsequently died from an overdose.
Following the Marine's death, Ducos attempted to thwart the investigation by disposing of cocaine when law enforcement sought a federal search warrant at his residence in Waikiki. At the time, authorities discovered that Ducos had two privately made firearms, described as "ghost guns," in his possession alongside substantial amounts of ammunition, cash, and cocaine.
Judge Seabright, in his sentencing, exceeded the advisory Sentencing Guidelines, attributing this to aggravating factors such as the death of the Marine, the possession of untraceable weapons, and efforts to impede the investigation.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson underscored the severity of drug trafficking, emphasizing its potential to cause loss of life and increase danger with the presence of firearms. Sorenson stated, "A young man is dead because of Mr. Ducos’s actions. Selling drugs endangers lives. Doing so while armed makes an already deadly trade even more dangerous and puts the general public at significant risk from the violence that is endemic to the illegal drug trade. We will prosecute armed drug dealers aggressively because there is no place for them in Hawaii."
The investigation was carried out by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with the prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara D. Ayabe and Thomas Muehleck.
