CHASE FRIEDRICH, Fentanyl Trafficking, Washington 2020

Tacoma - A deadly fentanyl trafficking ring has been busted in Pierce County, Washington, after a Navy sailor's overdose death. CHASE FRIEDRICH, a 28-year-old Des Moines resident, was arrested on April 21, 2020, at his apartment. His alleged supplier, RAOUL V. NORMANDIA, JR., 28, was arrested a few days later on April 24, 2020, near his Federal Way residence.

IVAN ARMENTA, a 20-year-old former U.S. Navy sailor, was separated from the Navy and taken into federal custody on August 7, 2020. FRIEDRICH sold counterfeit Percocet pills to ARMENTA, who then provided them to another sailor who died of a drug overdose. The pills were tainted with deadly fentanyl.

The investigation began on April 18, 2020, when a Navy sailor was found dead in his workspace aboard a Navy ship. In his pocket were two counterfeit pills that were laced with fentanyl. The Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) were able to identify ARMENTA as the sailor who provided the pills to the victim and identified FRIEDRICH as his supplier.

A search of FRIEDRICH’s apartment revealed cocaine, a handgun, and a bag of approximately 100 counterfeit pills. Investigators were able to trace the pills to NORMANDIA. He was arrested a few blocks from his home, where police found cocaine, MDMA, firearms, ammunition, body armor, narcotics, and various signs of the drug trade.

NORMANDIA and FRIEDRICH are charged with conspiracy. FRIEDRICH and ARMENTA are each charged with distribution of fentanyl. FRIEDRICH is also charged with possession of cocaine and fentanyl with intent to distribute, and with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Finally, NORMANDIA is charged with possession of MDMA and cocaine with intent to distribute and with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

All three defendants face a statutory maximum term of up to twenty years in prison. The possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime calls for an additional consecutive prison term of five years.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdwa/pr/three-men-indicted-selling-deadly-fentanyl-navy-sailor