A Clarkston man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after being convicted on charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Loyal Otis Dickson, III, age 40, received his sentence from United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice. After completing his prison term, Dickson will serve five years of supervised release.
Court records indicate that law enforcement executed a search warrant at Dickson’s home on November 6, 2024. Officers had previously observed him distributing drugs and possessing significant amounts of methamphetamine. During the search, authorities found approximately two pounds of methamphetamine shards and several firearms. Among the weapons was an AR-style semiautomatic rifle without markings or a serial number, described as a “ghost gun.” Dickson was initially arrested and released on state charges but was later indicted federally. When local law enforcement tried to contact him again in Clarkston, he fled into Idaho and was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit.
United States Attorney Pete Serrano addressed the significance of efforts against drug crimes in Eastern Washington: “We are working tirelessly to combat the plague of controlled substances. We appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners who work to arrest and prosecute those, like Mr. Dickson, who are introducing these deadly substances into our communities.”
Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI also commented on the case: "Loyal Dickson helped fuel the addiction crisis and violence that has devastated too many lives. When meth traffickers arm themselves with illegal firearms and try to run from law enforcement, they put everyone in danger. This sentence underscores the FBI and our partners' commitment to keeping our communities safe."
The investigation involved collaboration between the FBI and the Quad Cities Drug Task Force—a group composed of agencies such as the Lewiston Idaho Police Department, Clarkston Washington Police Department, and Whitman County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca R. Perez prosecuted the case.
