Aarayana Leigh Malcolm, Meth Trafficking, Washington 2014

A Spokane woman has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her role in a violent drug trafficking organization.

According to court records, Aarayana Leigh Malcolm, 46, of Spokane, Washington, pleaded guilty on October 24, 2014, to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Pure Methamphetamine.

On June 29, 2013, an improvised explosive device was detonated under a vehicle parked in the 5800 block of North Monroe in Spokane, Washington. The bombing led to an investigation by the BAT&E, the FBI, and the Spokane Police Department.

The investigation resulted in the discovery of a connection to Malcolm. A towing company had contacted the Spokane Police Department after finding over 340 grams of pure methamphetamine and approximately 50 grams of black tar heroin in a vehicle Malcolm had been driving.

With additional assistance from the DEA, agents discovered that Malcolm was a leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed multiple-pound-quantities of methamphetamine and heroin on a weekly basis during the first six months of 2013. The investigation also led to the resolution of three drive-by shootings where two people were shot, which shootings were linked to members of Malcolm’s drug trafficking organization.

In addition to Malcolm’s conviction, seven other individuals associated with Malcolm’s drug trafficking organization were convicted and sentenced in the Eastern District of Washington as a result of this lengthy investigation.

The sentenced individuals include:

• Siaosilepelenise L. TUAIMALO, age 34, of Spokane, Washington, who pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Pure Methamphetamine on November 2, 2015, and was sentenced to a 15-year term of imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice on January 6, 2016.
• Daniel C. VILLALOBOS, age 36, of Spokane, Washington, who pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Pure Methamphetamine on November 2, 2015, and was sentenced to a 12-year term of imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice on January 12, 2016.
• Robert William SHOWERS, age 47, of Spokane, Washington, who pleaded guilty to being a Felon in Possession of Explosives on April 15, 2014, and was sentenced to a 4-year term of imprisonment by Chief United States District Rosanna Malouf Peterson on October 8, 2015.
• Adam HANKINS, age 48, of Spokane, Washington, who pleaded guilty to being a Felon in Possession of Explosives on June 20, 2014, and was sentenced to a 3-year term of imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge Justin L. Quackenbush on November 18, 2014.
• Adam T. LAYTON, age 22, of Spokane, Washington, who pleaded guilty to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm on March 20, 2014, and was sentenced to a 30-month term of imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice on March 18, 2015.
• Nanukayet C. FINLEY, age 25, of Spokane, Washington, who pleaded guilty to being a Felon in Possession of Firearms on January 19, 2014, and was sentenced to a 6-month term of imprisonment by Chief United States District Rosanna Malouf Peterson on October 8, 2015.
• Ella J. CLAASSEN, age 42, of Spokane, Washington, who pleaded guilty to Misprision of a Felony on October 18, 2013, and was sentenced to a 6-month term of imprisonment by Chief United States District Rosanna Malouf Peterson on September 27, 2015.

United States Attorney Michael C. Ormsby stated, “This investigation is yet another example of the strong working partnership among the Federal and local law enforcement agencies in the Eastern District of Washington. I commend the tireless efforts of the law enforcement agencies involved in this case.

Aarayana Leigh Malcolm’s 15-year term of imprisonment will be followed by a 10-year term of court supervision after her release from federal prison.

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