A College Place man has been sentenced to over 16 years in federal prison for his role in a meth trafficking operation and for illegally possessing firearms.
Rex Michael Kern Jr., 39, of College Place, Washington, was sentenced to 198 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to two counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine and two counts of being a Felon in Possession of Firearms.
The charges stem from two separate incidents in 2022, in which Kern was arrested by the Walla Walla Police Department (WWPD) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
According to court documents, on February 11, 2022, WWPD officers conducted a traffic stop on a stolen white Hyundai hatchback driven by Kern. Officers arrested Kern and searched the vehicle, recovering a .22 caliber rifle, a 9mm caliber pistol, a small amount of cocaine, a half-pound of marijuana, nearly a pound of methamphetamine, two digital scales with drug residue, and $2,700 in cash.
In July 2022, WWPD officers arrested Kern on an unrelated felony warrant and conducted a search, locating a cell phone, marijuana, methamphetamine, and brass knuckles. Officers also obtained a search warrant for a vehicle Kern was accessing, where they found a cell phone, two 9mm pistols, ammunition, firearm magazines, $3,927 in cash, a half-pound of methamphetamine, 638 fentanyl pills, and a small amount of marijuana. One of the cell phones recovered contained messages detailing drug transactions and photographs of fentanyl pills.
“Drug traffickers like Mr. Kern perpetuate the cycle of substance abuse disorders and fatal overdoses by trafficking dangerous drugs into our neighborhoods,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref. “I am thankful to all the members of our law enforcement team who work hand in hand with my office to keep our communities safe and fight the spread of illicit narcotics.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Pang prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the ATF and the WWPD. Kern’s sentence is a reminder that felons will face severe consequences for violating federal laws and putting communities at risk.
The case serves as a warning to those who would commit similar crimes: the consequences will be severe, and the impact on communities will be devastating. As law enforcement continues to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, it is clear that Kern’s actions will not be tolerated.
The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke. Kern will serve 198 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for his crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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