Notorious PNW Aryan gang member sentenced for massive drug conspiracy

A notorious Aryan gang member has been sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma for selling various kinds of drugs throughout the Puget Sound region, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington Monday.

Michael Slocumb, 46, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his role in a drug distribution network involved in trafficking fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and heroin. Police eventually linked Slocumb to various Aryan prison gangs. He was a key figure in the conspiracy, operating from a stash house in Shelton that was raided in December 2022. After the raid, he moved the operation to Arizona before being arrested in March 2023.

Slocumb played a central role in moving large quantities of drugs, including fentanyl pills, made at the stash house. Law enforcement seized over 640,000 fentanyl pills, 12 kilograms of methamphetamine and 23 firearms at the property. Slocumb also stored firearms, including an AR-15-style rifle and a silencer, in his car. Investigations later revealed he was also involved in a violent plot to kidnap a rival drug dealer.

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Slocumb was enforcer in Aryan gang

Slocumb pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiracy to distribute drugs and possession of firearms in furtherance of trafficking. Prosecutors argued he acted as an enforcer in the operation, citing his use of firearms and involvement in violent activities.

Bryson Gill, the leader of the conspiracy, pleaded guilty to related charges and is scheduled for sentencing in May 2025. A large-scale law enforcement operation in March 2023 led to the seizure of 177 firearms and millions in drugs and cash.

The investigation is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and continues with additional suspects, including Jesse Bailey and his wife, who are awaiting sentencing in 2025.

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More sentencings connected to Aryan prison gangs

Last month, a Renton resident was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring that was connected to Aryan prison gangs.

This arrest stemmed from a two-year investigation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, that led to the arrests of more than two dozen people. The coordinated takedown involved 10 SWAT teams and more than 350 law enforcement officers.

In January, a man from Spanaway was sentenced to more than a decade in prison for his leadership role in a drug distribution ring selling fentanyl and methamphetamine in Western Washington, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington reported via a news release.

Sean Michael Moinette, 46, will serve 12 years in prison following his sentencing in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma.

According to the attorney’s office, Moinette had been in custody since March 2023 in connection with the arrest of over two dozen conspirators, with several tied to the Aryan prison gang.

Court records filed in the case stated Moinette was identified as a mid-level manager of a drug distribution cell tied to the Aryan Family and Omerta prison gangs. An investigation revealed he was buying large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl powder and fentanyl-laced pills multiple times per week. According to records, Moinette continued to distribute the fentanyl powder even after a discussion with his supplier that customers were “dropping like flies.”

The attorney’s office added Moinette also discussed using women as “live shipping containers” to transport fentanyl out of the state.

Police arrested members of the drug distribution conspiracy on March 22, 2023. The takedown involved 10 SWAT teams and more than 350 law enforcement officers. On that day alone, the attorney’s office said, police seized 177 firearms, more than 10 kilos of methamphetamine, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills and more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin and more than $330,000 in cash from 18 locations in Washington and Arizona.

Contributing: Frank Sumrall and Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest