A 21-year-old Kent man faces charges of distribution and possession of fentanyl after a police crackdown in Seattle’s International District.
Mar’jon Guyton, is charged with two counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, according to a March 4 U.S. Department of Justice news release.
The Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration have been using targeted undercover operations to combat open air drug markets in Seattle.
U.S. Attorney Nick Brown joined Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and law enforcement leaders on March 4 to highlight a series of arrests aimed at removing persistent fentanyl dealers—some of whom are illegally armed with firearms—from the 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street area in Seattle’s International District.
Sixteen people have been arrested for felonies in the undercover operation.
“There are too many guns in our communities, and we’ve seen a significant increase in shootings throughout Seattle and a rise in violent crime,” Brown said. “This week I convened a meeting of law enforcement leaders to share strategies on how federal agents and local police can work together to reduce community violence.
“In this undercover operation, we have charged three people federally, who were illegally possessing firearms while dealing fentanyl. The Department of Justice will do everything that we can to help break the cycle of crime—not only with federal prosecution—but also with support for programs that keep our youth out of the criminal justice system.”
Guyton was arrested Feb. 3 near 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street after police said they reportedly saw him making multiple drug deals there, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Investigators described him as a predatory drug dealer. They said he also matched the description of a suspect wanted in a drive-by shooting, and said they found 70 suspected fentanyl pills and $1,740 in several denominations.
At Guyton’s Feb. 4 first appearance, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued that he is a danger to the public and asked a judge to hold him on $25,000 bail, according to a March 4 email from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
The judge set bail at $5,000, and Guyton was released Feb. 5 after bond was posted on that lower amount set by the judge.
This case was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Guyton was charged federally and arrested. Guyton is in custody at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac pending further hearings. A release date is unknown, according to prison records.
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