A Wenatchee man has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. Steven E. Graham, 40, received the sentence from United States District Judge Rebecca Pennell after being found guilty by a jury on July 30, 2025. In addition to his prison term, Graham will be subject to 10 years of supervised release.
Court documents show that in late November 2023, Graham was under community custody supervision due to a prior state drug conviction. The Columbia River Drug Task Force began investigating him not only for suspected drug trafficking but also because he had an outstanding warrant from the Washington State Department of Corrections related to violations of his supervision.
Investigators discovered that Graham was staying at the Red Lion motel in Wenatchee. After conducting surveillance and gathering evidence indicating drug activity, they obtained a search warrant for both his motel room and a vehicle he was using. On November 29, 2023, after observing Graham and others moving luggage between the room and the vehicle, authorities executed the warrant. They arrested Graham and seized more than 7,000 fentanyl-laced pills, over 170 grams of methamphetamine, four firearms, and about $19,000 in cash from his luggage and person.
Graham was prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous felony convictions and was classified as a “career offender” under federal sentencing guidelines.
First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano stated: “Steven Graham posed a significant danger to the Wenatchee Valley and we appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners who work to arrest and prosecute those, like Mr. Graham, who are introducing these deadly substances into our communities.”
HSI Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller commented: “Graham’s lengthy sentence exemplifies the impact of strong law enforcement partnerships in safeguarding our communities from repeat offenders who threaten public safety by trafficking dangerous drugs and deadly weapons. HSI Seattle commends the exceptional collaboration demonstrated by our partners in the Columbia River Drug Task Force. Through our united efforts, we have ensured that a significant threat has been removed and public safety restored for the people we serve.”
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations as well as the Columbia River Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich prosecuted the case.
