TACOMA — A Sequim man has been charged in federal court with selling 170 grams — or six ounces — of methamphetamine in Sequim and on two tribal reservations.
Kenneth Francis Simmons, 55, was charged Wednesday with four counts of distribution of methamphetamine and single counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The case will be adjudicated in U.S. District Court Western District of Washington at Tacoma.
Using confidential informants, the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET) and the FBI developed probable cause that Simmons was “prolific dealer” in the Sequim area who had also dealt drugs at casinos on Lower Elwha Klallam and Jamestown S’Klallam lands, federal court papers said.
The complaint alleges that Simmons sold 3.8 grams of methamphetamine in February, 20.9 grams of methamphetamine in March, 29.8 grams of methamphetamine in the third week of July and 115.3 grams of methamphetamine near the end of July.
Simmons was arrested Aug. 16 after he was stopped for driving 17 mph over the speed limit on Old Olympic Highway.
Deputy Don Kitchen of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant and found a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and magazine with 15 rounds, 85.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a digital scale, 17 small clear plastic baggies and $245 in cash in the truck Simmons was driving, court papers said.
Simmons was a convicted felon and could not legally possess a firearm, prosecutors said.
Clallam County Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michele Devlin successfully argued for a $250,000 bail against Simmons at his initial court appearance Monday.
Simmons was released from the Clallam County jail on Wednesday pending his transfer to face federal charges.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at [email protected].
