Sean Michael Moinette, 46, of Spanaway, Washington, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for his leadership role in a drug distribution network responsible for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine across Western Washington. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman.
Moinette had been in custody since March 2023, following the arrest of more than two dozen individuals connected to the drug ring, several of whom had ties to the Aryan prison gang. According to court records, Moinette was identified as a mid-level manager within the network, affiliated with the Aryan Family and Omerta prison gangs. Investigators revealed that Moinette was purchasing large quantities of fentanyl powder, fentanyl-laced pills, and methamphetamine multiple times a week.
Despite being made aware that his fentanyl was causing overdoses in the community, Moinette continued to distribute the drugs. U.S. Attorney Gorman stated, “When confronted with the information that his fentanyl was too strong and causing overdoses, he did not skip a beat and continued to scheme about moving his poison in our community.”
Moinette also discussed using women as “live shipping containers” to transport drugs out of state, with plans to use couriers for drug flights to Alaska. These plans were chillingly discussed in intercepted communications.
Law enforcement made significant strides in dismantling the operation on March 22, 2023, when a massive operation led to the arrests of several conspirators. This takedown involved 10 SWAT teams and over 350 officers. Authorities seized substantial quantities of illegal substances and firearms, including 177 firearms, more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine, 11 kilograms of fentanyl pills, and over a kilo of fentanyl powder, in addition to $330,000 in cash from 18 locations across Washington and Arizona.
This operation, spanning two years, also resulted in the seizure of 223 pounds of methamphetamine, 830,000 fentanyl pills, large amounts of fentanyl powder, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, over $338,000 in suspected drug proceeds, and 48 firearms.
Moinette’s sentencing marks the eighth conviction of a member of the drug distribution conspiracy. With this significant case, authorities have sent a strong message to drug traffickers and their networks in the region.
