SEATTLE – Anthony Raymond Dodd, 36, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted yesterday of trafficking fentanyl and illegally possessing a firearm. The conviction comes after a three-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Seattle, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Dodd, a repeat offender with a disturbing past, now stares down the barrel of potentially decades behind bars.
The case unfolded on February 22, 2024, when Dodd was scheduled to check in with his community corrections officer in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood. Law enforcement, already aware of reports that Dodd was armed and dealing fentanyl, kept him under surveillance. Corrections officers followed Dodd to the meeting in a vehicle they soon discovered concealed a dangerous combination: two bags of fentanyl pills and a loaded handgun, resting directly on top of the drugs.
The evidence mounted quickly. DNA analysis confirmed Dodd’s genetic material on the gun’s trigger and magazine. A subsequent search of Dodd’s apartment revealed $1,460 in cash and additional fentanyl pills stashed within a heat vent. Digital evidence further implicated Dodd, with text messages on his phone requesting ‘blues’ – a common street name for fentanyl pills. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cecelia Gregson hammered this point home in closing arguments, telling the jury, “Dodd was the only person in that car, he was the last person in that car.”
Dodd’s defense attempted a weak gambit, claiming he’d simply borrowed the vehicle from a friend and was unaware of the illicit contents. Prosecutors dismissed this as a desperate attempt to evade responsibility. They characterized the case not as a simple mistake, but as a calculated risk – “a ‘cautionary tale’ about a defendant thinking he could commit crimes on the way to and from his Department of Corrections appointment.” Judge John H. Chun separated the issue of Dodd’s prior felony conviction, holding a second, brief trial to establish he was, in fact, a prohibited person when it came to firearm ownership. The jury quickly returned a guilty verdict on that charge as well.
The charges carry serious penalties. Possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years, with a maximum of 40 years imprisonment. The firearm charge, related to the drug trafficking crime, adds another mandatory minimum of 5 years, to be served consecutively to the drug sentence. Unlawful Possession of a firearm alone could add up to 15 years to Dodd’s sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2025.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Washington State Department of Corrections, the Seattle Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Cecelia Gregson and Rachel Yemini. Dodd’s history, including prior convictions for robbery, burglary, and a particularly heinous sexually-motivated home invasion, paints a picture of a dangerous individual now facing the consequences of his actions. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fentanyl crisis gripping the nation and the commitment of federal authorities to dismantle drug trafficking operations and hold offenders accountable.
Related Federal Cases
- FDIC Cracks Down on False Advertising: The Truth Behind the Insurance Scams · Washington
- Ramaswamy Snubs VP Slot, Wants to Build, Not Wait · Washington
- Ramaswamy: No VP Slot For Me · Washington
- Profits Down, Prices Cooling? The Greed Factor · Washington
- Ukraine Offensive Stalls: US Doubt Grows · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News