Lynden David Lightburn, 52, from Los Angeles, California, was sentenced to six years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy involving fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Jill A. Otake in Honolulu. Lightburn will also serve five years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
Court documents revealed that between September 2020 and June 30, 2021, Lightburn supplied over 6.6 kilograms of fentanyl, 6.4 kilograms of heroin, and 2.8 kilograms of methamphetamine to a Honolulu-based drug trafficking organization (DTO). The organization was co-led by Gabriel Antone Eberhardt and Jason Darnell Smith from Detroit, Michigan. Drugs were obtained from Lightburn in Los Angeles as well as Robert Adams from Philadelphia and shipped to Honolulu through the mail.
The DTO distributed fentanyl—an opioid significantly more potent than heroin—in mixtures with heroin and as counterfeit oxycodone tablets.
A joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and the Honolulu Police Department resulted in dozens of controlled purchases and the execution of 15 search warrants at various locations including residences and storage units. Authorities seized more than 15 kilograms of drugs, seven firearms—including assault rifles—hundreds of rounds of ammunition, a vehicle, and over $250,000 in cash.
“Today’s sentence brings to a close years of collaboration between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners across multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies, as we worked tirelessly to bring down this large-scale, prolific, and dangerous drug trafficking operation,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “The aggressive pursuit and dismantling of drug enterprises that pump illicit drugs into Hawaii remains one of our top priorities. We will continue to devote our time, effort, and resources to protecting our community from those who seek to poison it with illegal narcotics, along with the violence and criminal use of firearms that drug trafficking spawns.”
“This sentencing, and the overall resolution of the related investigation, represents years of collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies to dismantle one of Hawaii’s most dangerous drug trafficking organizations,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The FBI—in coordination with our partners—will continue to use every available resource to protect our communities by taking these violent offenders off the board and bringing them to justice.”
“Today’s sentencing closes the loop on a network of incessant drug traffickers whose crimes threatened the safety and wellbeing of the island community,” said Anthony Chrysanthis, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Los Angeles Field Division which oversees Honolulu. “This case reflects DEA’s continued commitment to holding drug traffickers accountable and stemming the flow of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other dangerous drugs.”
“This case shows the power of collaboration,” said ATF Seattle Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Eric Jackson. “When federal state ,and local law enforcement work together ,our resources are unlimited ,and our efforts unmatched .It is through these partnerships that we continue to hold accountable those who seek profit from dealing illegal ,and dangerous drugs in our communities .”
“The trafficking dangerous drugs like fentanyl ,and methamphetamine through U.S.Mail puts Postal Service employees ,and our communities at risk .Postal Inspectors will aggressively pursue anyone who uses mail transport distribute deadly drugs ,” said Stephen Sherwood Postal Inspector Charge United States Postal Inspection Service San Francisco Division .“We thank federal local partners working us combat these crimes make communities safer .”
Lightburn is the last member among several coconspirators prosecuted for their roles within this network; sentences ranged up to thirty years for leaders such as Eberhardt while others received lesser terms depending on their involvement.
The prosecution is part Operation Take Back America—a national initiative coordinated by Department Justice—which focuses on eliminating cartels transnational criminal organizations while leveraging resources Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Project Safe Neighborhoods .
The case was investigated by FBI DEA ATF USPIS HPD Assistant U.S.Attorney Craig S.Nolan prosecuted matter .
