An Anchorage resident, Thurman Reed, 67, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking large amounts of illegal drugs and possessing a firearm connected to his drug crimes. The sentencing took place following a series of drug sales and a search that uncovered significant quantities of narcotics.
Court documents show that in early 2024, Reed was involved in several drug transactions. In February, he sold about six grams each of fentanyl analogue and heroin. The following month, he sold more than 27 grams of methamphetamine mixture and over 49 grams of heroin within one week. By May, another sale included over 311 grams of methamphetamine.
A law enforcement search in late May at Reed’s home and storage unit led to the seizure of over 10 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, along with substantial amounts of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine. Authorities also found a firearm inside a backpack containing distribution-level quantities of drugs and a digital scale. At the time, Reed had seven previous felony convictions.
On August 14, 2025, Reed pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
“Mr. Reed was clearly undeterred by his seven prior felony convictions and chose to stockpile and distribute large quantities of dangerous drugs in Alaska, putting our communities at significant risk,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “My office is resolute in its commitment to target and prosecute drug traffickers for the crimes that are devastating our communities.”
“Over the course of our investigation, the FBI and APD seized a stockpile of deadly drugs, including over 22 pounds of methamphetamine that this seven-time convicted felon had intended for distribution in Alaska,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Waddle of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Now, Reed’s days of menacing our community are over. We will continue working with our partners at every level to hold drug traffickers accountable."
"I want to thank the FBI and the Anchorage High-Intensity Drug Tracking Area (HIDTA) Unit for their steadfast dedication in the aggressive pursuit of those trafficking deadly drugs within Alaska. I also want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office for prosecuting these cases so there is accountability for outrageous acts in our community. This case is a very clear example of our commitment to reducing the drugs in this community that have had such a devastating impact. People involved in this level of distribution should be investigated, prosecuted, and placed in jail for long periods of time so they will not continue to cause harm," said Chief Sean Case of the Anchorage Police Department.
The case was investigated by the FBI Anchorage Field Office and Anchorage Police Department as part of the Anchorage High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ainsley McNerney prosecuted.
