CRIME BLOTTER

Tacoma man with sex trafficking past gets 10 years for drugs, guns

Dec 2, 2025, 6:53 PM

King County crime spree...

The U.S. Department of Justice logo is seen on a podium before a press conference. (Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson, The Associated Press)

(Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson, The Associated Press)

A 49-year-old Tacoma man with a prior sex trafficking conviction was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison Tuesday for distributing drugs while in possession of loaded firearms, according to U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd.

Ezekiel Alon Hampton committed the offenses while still serving a supervised release following a 13-year prison term for multiple sex trafficking convictions. U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright also ordered Hampton to serve five years of supervised release after completing his prison sentence.

Court records show that Hampton was released from prison in December 2019 after being sentenced in 2010 for crimes including interstate transportation of minors for prostitution and sex trafficking of minors. 

Tacoma man sentenced for drugs, guns while on release

Less than five years after his release, Hampton came under investigation by the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) for drug trafficking.

In October 2024, officers executed a search warrant at Hampton’s home and vehicle. Authorities found a black backpack in the car containing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine, along with a loaded 9mm firearm with an extended magazine.

Another loaded pistol was discovered in the vehicle’s center console, ready to fire. Additional methamphetamine, fentanyl powder, and two more firearms were recovered from Hampton’s residence.

Hampton was indicted on Feb. 12 for drug and firearms offenses. In May, he pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of firearms and two counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.

Crime Blotter

town hall seattle wedding...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Judge dismisses double-murder case against man accused of Seattle ax attacks

A King County judge dismissed the double-murder case against Liam Kryger Thursday.

10 hours ago

20 cats AirTag stolen vehicle Tacoma Truck...

Frank Lenzi

Deputies find 20 cats in stolen truck after AirTag tracks down vehicle in Tacoma

An AirTag led Pierce County Sheriff's Deputies to a stolen truck — and 20 cats — in Tacoma this week.

11 hours ago

tacoma homicide arrest...

James Lynch

Teen suspect arrested in Tacoma North End homicide; second suspect also in custody

Tacoma Police have arrested a teenage suspect in connection with a fatal shooting on the city’s North End, bringing the number of people in custody to two.

16 hours ago

pierce county homicide shot...

James Lynch

Man found fatally shot in Pierce County, homicide investigation underway

Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) detectives are investigating a fatal shooting after a man was found dead near 18th Avenue S. and 102nd Street S.

18 hours ago

Bothell Fred Meyer fire arson arrest...

MyNorthwest Staff

Bothell Police arrest arson suspect in Fred Meyer fire near Thrasher’s Corner

Bothell Police arrested a suspect in connection with last week's fire at the Fred Meyer near Thrasher's Corner shortly after 7 a.m. this morning.

18 hours ago

SeaTac drug ring trafficking...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Man with decades-long history of domestic violence sentenced to 5 years for ‘vicious assault’

A Lummi Nation man with a decades-long history of domestic violence was sentenced to five years in federal prison for strangling his former partner.

20 hours ago

Tacoma man with sex trafficking past gets 10 years for drugs, guns