Fentanyl, Smuggling & Cash: Jackson Gets 5.5 Years

TACOMA, WA – A 28-year-old California man, Andre Jackson, learned his fate Thursday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma: 66 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release. Jackson was sentenced for orchestrating a complex scheme involving the distribution of deadly fentanyl, laundering the resulting drug money, and facilitating the illegal smuggling of individuals across the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced the sentence, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of Jackson’s criminal enterprise.

Court records reveal Jackson acted as a key distributor of narcotics, primarily targeting the Kitsap and Pierce County areas. Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo didn’t mince words at the sentencing, stating, “Drug dealing is of course dangerous,” and adding a pointed condemnation of the human smuggling aspect: “you were making money off of vulnerable people.” Jackson’s operation centered around a Mexican-based source known only as “Pacheco,” directing Jackson to coordinate drug deliveries from California to Washington State and funnel the profits back south.

The investigation uncovered a pattern of brazen activity. In August 2021, Jackson personally delivered 3,500 fentanyl pills to an undercover operative at the Tacoma Mall. Later that same day, he made a secondary delivery to a codefendant in a Bremerton grocery store parking lot. Beyond direct drug sales, Jackson wired illicit proceeds from locations in Bremerton and Silverdale to individuals in Mexico using services like MoneyGram, CashApp, and Western Union throughout August, September, and October 2021. This established a clear pipeline for funding the continued operation.

But Jackson’s greed didn’t stop at drugs and money. Law enforcement discovered he was also actively involved in human smuggling. Utilizing social media, Jackson recruited drivers to transport non-citizens across the border or pick them up and drive them further into the U.S. Several of these recruited drivers were later apprehended by authorities with smuggled individuals in their vehicles. This added layer of exploitation showcased the callous disregard for human life driving Jackson’s criminal ambition.

Jackson was initially indicted and arrested in November 2022. He eventually pleaded guilty in February 2024 to charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to transport certain non-citizens for profit. He’s not alone in facing consequences; Jason Baker received a 61-month sentence, Ashley Chico 18 months, and John Irias-Mejia also 18 months for their roles in the scheme. Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Hobbs, in a pre-sentencing memo, emphasized Jackson’s central role, stating he was “not just a street dealer or simple courier” but a direct link to the Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) leader in Mexico.

The case was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by investigations from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Hobbs prosecuted the case, bringing Jackson’s criminal enterprise to a close. While 66 months represents a significant sentence, the damage caused by Jackson’s actions – the spread of fentanyl, the exploitation of vulnerable people, and the flow of illicit funds – will continue to be felt for years to come. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against cross-border crime and the devastating consequences of the drug trade.