John Doe, Gun Trafficking, Marysville WA, 2023

MARYSVILLE, WA – A brazen gun trafficking operation flooding Snohomish County with illegal firearms has been dismantled, authorities announced today. Four individuals are facing federal charges after an investigation revealed they were peddling dozens of weapons – including modified and untraceable firearms – to an undercover agent. The ring operated with chilling disregard for public safety, selling guns from casino parking lots and residential streets.

HEATHER CHANCEY, a/k/a HEATHER LEE SLATER, 34, of Marysville, Washington, is at the center of the conspiracy, facing a staggering 14 counts of a 20-count indictment encompassing gun and drug crimes. Also charged are MARK JENKINS, 53, of Marysville, Washington, with four counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm; JAMES MICHAELS, 37, of Marysville, Washington, with one count of the same charge; and CURTIS VAN PUTTEN, 43, of Marysville, Washington, also charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. All four were taken into custody this morning and are scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Seattle at 1:30 PM today.

“These defendants, convicted felons, were selling dozens of high powered firearms with no sales record and no concern about where these guns would end up,” stated U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “Our region has seen too much heartache come out of the end of guns. Law enforcement will continue to work together to stop the illegal flow of guns into our communities.” The indictment details multiple sales between October 2012 and January 2013, often conducted in the parking lot of the Tulalip Resort Casino. Other transactions took place in parking lots in Arlington and Marysville, and at a Marysville residence.

The arsenal allegedly trafficked by CHANCEY is deeply troubling. She’s accused of possessing and selling two sawed-off shotguns, 13 regular shotguns (some with obliterated serial numbers), 21 rifles (some also with obliterated serial numbers), and four handguns. Adding to the severity of the charges, CHANCEY is also facing charges related to the distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. JENKINS, with a prior felony conviction in Oregon, is accused of illegally possessing five rifles and two handguns. MICHAELS, convicted of drug possession in 2000, allegedly had a rifle. VAN PUTTEN, with prior convictions for drug possession and possession of stolen property, is accused of possessing three rifles.

“Ms. Chancey blatantly disregarded the safety of her community by distributing dangerous items indiscriminately,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Laura M. Laughlin of the FBI Seattle office. “Further, she often did so in broad daylight, in areas where we all live and play with our families. The FBI welcomed the opportunity to work with our law enforcement partners to disrupt this brazen activity.” Local law enforcement echoed the sentiment. Snohomish Regional Gang and Drug Task Force Commander Pat Slack stated, “Our communities are safer when you take illegal weapons and drugs off the street. A potentially dangerous and harmful element has been removed from Snohomish County as a result of this collaborative investigation.”

Seattle Police Chief Jim Pugel added, “Working together, law enforcement cracked a crime ring that was trafficking handguns, rifles and weapons that could be altered for fully automatic firing. I can say with confidence that Seattle is safer with these weapons and their dealers off the streets.” The penalties for these crimes are significant: Conspiracy to unlawfully deal in firearms and illegal distribution of firearms carry a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a sentence of up to ten years and a $250,000 fine. Distribution of fifty grams or more of methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum of five years, and up to forty years, in prison. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking also adds to the potential sentence.