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Robert Joseph McNabb, a 35-year-old Spokane resident, pleaded guilty to trafficking significant amounts of fentanyl in the greater Spokane area. On May 20, 2026, McNabb was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release. The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spokane Police Department, uncovered a Mexico-based distribution network operating in the area.
McNabb’s crimes were discovered through surveillance and vehicle tracking data, which identified a residence in Spokane Valley as a drop-off point for large quantities of controlled substances. Messages on a courier’s cell phone revealed that McNabb had received approximately ½ kilogram of fentanyl powder in exchange for $18,000. This was not McNabb’s first run-in with the law; he was previously convicted of distributing methamphetamine in 2019 and served a 5-year federal sentence.
A search warrant executed on October 7, 2025, uncovered approximately 450 grams of pressed fentanyl powder, a scale, and unused baggies in McNabb’s shared bedroom with a 16-year-old female. A loaded firearm, U.S. currency, and McNabb’s identification were also found. The investigation revealed that McNabb had quickly returned to trafficking drugs after being released from federal supervision in March 2023.
McNabb’s sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the ongoing struggle against fentanyl trafficking in the Spokane area. The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies, such as the DEA and local police departments, in combating drug distribution networks.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Drug Trafficking
- Defendant: Washington
- Location: WA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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