Seattle – A Seattle man with prior convictions was found guilty in U.S. District Court of drug trafficking and firearms offenses, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Anthony Raymond Dodd, 36, faced a three-day jury trial and was convicted of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The jury deliberated for about six hours before reaching the verdict. A second proceeding resulted in Dodd being convicted as a felon in possession of a firearm. Sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2025, by U.S. District Judge John H. Chun.
Court records reveal that on February 22, 2024, Dodd met with his community corrections officer in Seattle's SODO neighborhood while under surveillance due to reports of him being armed and dealing fentanyl pills. During the meeting, he failed to answer questions truthfully regarding guns and drugs. Upon searching the vehicle Dodd drove to the meeting, officers discovered two bags of fentanyl pills with a loaded handgun atop them in the center console. DNA matching Dodd’s profile was found on the gun's trigger and magazine.
Further investigation led law enforcement to find $1,460 in cash and additional pills hidden at Dodd’s apartment. A request for 'blues'—a street name for fentanyl pills—was also found on his phone.
Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson argued during closing statements that “Dodd was the only person in that car; he was the last person in that car.” The defense claimed it was a case of borrowing an ill-fated car from a friend without knowledge of its contents. Prosecutors countered this narrative: “This is a ‘cautionary tale’ about a defendant thinking he could commit crimes on the way to and from his Department of Corrections appointment.”
Judge Chun conducted separate proceedings regarding Dodd's illegal firearm possession due to his status as a convicted felon; jurors quickly returned another guilty verdict.
The charges carry significant penalties: Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute entails five years minimum imprisonment up to forty years maximum; possessing a firearm related to drug trafficking requires an additional consecutive five-year sentence; unlawful firearm possession can result in up to fifteen years imprisonment.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including Washington State Department of Corrections, Seattle Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Prosecution efforts are led by Assistant United States Attorneys Cecelia Gregson and Rachel Yemini.
