A Clarkston, Washington man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms. Loyal Otis Dickson, III, age 40, received the sentence from United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice. After his release from prison, Dickson will be subject to five years of supervised release.
According to court documents and arguments presented during the case, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Dickson’s residence on November 6, 2024. The search followed observations of drug distribution activity and possession of significant quantities of methamphetamine. Authorities found approximately two pounds of methamphetamine shards at the residence as well as multiple firearms. Among these was an AR-style semiautomatic rifle with no markings or serial number—commonly referred to as a “ghost gun.”
Dickson was initially arrested on state charges but released. After being indicted federally, local law enforcement in Clarkston attempted to contact him again. Dickson fled into Idaho and was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit.
United States Attorney Pete Serrano commented on the importance of fighting drug-related crime 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 stated: "Loyal Dickson helped fuel the addiction crisis and violence that has devastated too many lives," adding that armed meth traffickers endanger everyone when they attempt to evade law enforcement: "This sentence underscores the FBI and our partners' commitment to keeping our communities safe."
The investigation involved both the FBI and the Quad Cities Drug Task Force—a multi-jurisdictional team including 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.
