Seattle, Washington – In a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of fentanyl distribution, a former US Navy sailor was sentenced to 4 years in prison for providing the lethal pills to his fellow sailors.
Ivan Armenta, 21, was separated from the Navy and taken into federal custody on August 7, 2020. Despite being warned about the dangers of the pills, Armenta continued to distribute them, resulting in the death of one sailor and the hospitalization of two others.
The investigation began on April 18, 2020, after a Navy sailor was found dead in his workspace aboard a Navy ship. In his pocket were two counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. The Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS) identified Armenta as the sailor who provided the pills to the victim.
Armenta’s actions put the lives of his fellow sailors at risk, and the consequences of his actions are a stark reminder of the dangers of fentanyl distribution. The overdose statistics in King County are staggering, with fentanyl overdose deaths increasing by 82 percent in the first half of 2021.
Armenta’s sentencing comes as law enforcement continues to work to take these deadly pills off the streets. The case was investigated by NCIS and the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office as part of the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNET) and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lyndsie Schmalz.
The investigation revealed that Armenta had received a warning from a contact in Southern California that the pills were causing fatal overdoses. Nevertheless, Armenta purchased more pills from his source and provided them to four Navy sailors. Two became ill, one was revived by Narcan, and one sailor was found dead.
Chase Friedrich, 29, supplied the pills to Armenta. He was arrested on April 21, 2020, at his Des Moines, Washington, apartment. A search of Friedrich’s apartment revealed cocaine, a handgun, and a bag of approximately 100 counterfeit pills. His drug supplier, Raoul V. Normandia, Jr., 29, was arrested on April 24, 2020, near his Federal Way, Washington, residence. In his vehicle was cocaine. During a court-authorized search of Normandia’s residence, law enforcement recovered cocaine, MDMA, firearms, ammunition, body armor, narcotics, and various signs of the drug trade.
The case is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of fentanyl distribution. As Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman noted, ‘The overdose statistics are grim and staggering: in King County alone fentanyl overdose deaths are up 82 percent in the first half of 2021.’
Defendant: Ivan Armenta
Criminal Charges: Distribution of fentanyl
City and State: Seattle, Washington
Date: August 7, 2020
Sentence: 4 years in prison and 3 years of supervised release
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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