A 44-year-old Yakima man is heading to federal prison for 16 years after pleading guilty to fentanyl trafficking and firearm charges.
Jacob Rodney Penny, 44, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced to 192 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of a Mixture or Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl and one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
The case began with a Craigslist ad for stolen ski equipment, but quickly escalated into a major fentanyl trafficking operation. According to court documents, the victim of a residential burglary saw the ad and contacted law enforcement, who arranged to purchase the skis from the seller. However, instead of delivering the skis, Penny showed up with hundreds of fentanyl pills, a small quantity of methamphetamine, and two 9mm pistols.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant on Penny’s white Chevy Tahoe, locating the contraband and $2,600 in cash. Penny claimed he was making the delivery because the skis didn’t fit in his friend’s vehicle, but investigators were not buying it.
“I am grateful for the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office for their tremendous investigation in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref. “What began as an investigation into a set of stolen skis, led to the discovery of deadly fentanyl, which could have claimed the lives of those who call the Yakima Valley home.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Hanlon. The sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in fentanyl trafficking, and the importance of law enforcement working together to keep communities safe.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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