Kenneth H. Crause, 55, has been sentenced to 204 months in federal prison for possession with intent to deliver over 400 grams of fentanyl. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke also ordered Crause to serve a life term of supervised release after completing his sentence.
Court documents reveal that the Spokane Police Department Special Investigations Unit was investigating Crause, who was already under federal supervision for a previous drug trafficking conviction. Officers obtained and executed search warrants on October 8, 2024, at Crause’s residence and vehicle. During the search, law enforcement found more than 1,298 grams of powder fentanyl, about 124 grams of methamphetamine, and roughly 28 grams of cocaine. They also discovered digital drug scales, pay/owe ledgers, other paraphernalia linked to drug trafficking, as well as protective gear such as respirators and gloves used while handling fentanyl. Authorities seized approximately $53,902 in cash from Crause’s home, vehicle, and person.
“Fentanyl remains one of the greatest threats to our community,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney S. Pete Serrano. “Mr. Crause was already on federal supervision for his prior involvement in drug trafficking. Even while being supervised by the Court, Crause chose to engage in fentanyl trafficking, directly placing this community and others at risk. He clearly knew those risks evidenced by the protective gear he utilized while not caring for the impact on others. Through the hard work of our state and federal partners, this repeat offender will no longer be able to hurt our community.”
David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division said: “Mr. Crause clearly knew the dangers of fentanyl, but he ignored this risk out of greed. As an unreformed trafficker, he richly deserves this lengthy prison term, which may be the only way to stop him from poisoning our community.”
Detective Brian Eckersley expressed pride in the Spokane Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit for their dedication to building cases like this one. He highlighted that stopping Crause from distributing fentanyl was especially important after seeing unsafe living conditions for a child exposed to residue and trash from the drug operation: “He clearly used personal protection equipment when handling the fentanyl. However, Crause left the residue and trash from his drug operation out where it was easily accessible to the child, who risked serious illness or death from exposure to the fentanyl.”
The investigation was conducted by both the Spokane Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Earl A. Hicks, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
