TUKWILA, Wash. — A 52-year-old Tukwila man, Anthony Escoto, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking ring tied to Aryan Family and Omerta prison gangs, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
Escoto, described as a “prolific drug distributor,” was caught on wiretaps ordering pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills during a two-year federal investigation.
Authorities stopped a vehicle Escoto was traveling in following a drug deal, where his co-defendant claimed ownership of the drugs. However, federal agents had Escoto on tape arranging the transaction, confirming his role.
A subsequent search of Escoto’s home on March 22, 2023, uncovered additional methamphetamine and two firearms — a shotgun and an SKS rifle. As a convicted felon, Escoto was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Though Escoto denies gang membership, he has multiple neo-Nazi tattoos and was previously charged with assault for biting a prison guard while shouting racial slurs. His criminal history spans over 30 years, including convictions for drug trafficking, aggravated assault, domestic violence, and identity theft.
Escoto pleaded guilty on April 22, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Judge David G. Estudillo emphasized the broader impact of Escoto’s crimes during sentencing, stating, “Controlled substances cause a huge amount of damage — not just to individuals but to the community.”
The arrest was part of a major takedown operation on March 22, 2023, involving 10 SWAT teams and over 350 officers across Washington and Arizona. Officers seized:
177 firearms
10+ kilos of meth
11 kilos of fentanyl pills
Over a kilo of fentanyl powder
3 kilos of heroin
$330,000 in cash
This followed earlier seizures including:
830,000 fentanyl pills
223 pounds of meth
5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder
3.5 pounds of heroin
5 pounds of cocaine
$388,000 in cash
48 firearms
In addition to his 10-year sentence, Escoto will serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.
