Spokane, Wash. — A 42-year-old man described by federal prosecutors as the leader of a major fentanyl trafficking operation in Eastern Washington has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, Clinton Paul Patterson was sentenced May 6 by U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice to 240 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for his role in distributing large quantities of fentanyl throughout the region.
Federal authorities said the case stemmed from a lengthy investigation conducted by the Spokane Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration into a drug trafficking network operating between Seattle and Spokane, with meetings often arranged in Ritzville.
Court documents revealed that beginning in December 2023, investigators seized approximately 5,475 fentanyl pills weighing more than 480 grams, along with cocaine, firearms, and multiple cell phones during the execution of a residential search warrant. Surveillance footage showed the residence was being used as a hub for fentanyl distribution in Spokane.
Investigators later linked Patterson to the operation through phone records, financial transactions, and text messages that allegedly showed him directing drug distribution activities, coordinating meetings, and arranging payments through Cash App and cash exchanges. Authorities said records documented thousands of dollars in payments tied to drug transactions.
Patterson was arrested Oct. 21, 2024, in Pasco. During subsequent searches of his residence and vehicle, law enforcement recovered additional narcotics, including nearly 1,449 grams of fentanyl found in a toilet after Patterson allegedly attempted to destroy evidence when officers announced their presence. Authorities also seized 189 grams of fentanyl pills from his vehicle, as well as cocaine and MDMA from the residence.
During sentencing, Judge Rice considered Patterson’s lengthy criminal history, which included convictions for attempted second-degree murder and a prior federal drug trafficking offense. Prosecutors noted Patterson had previously received a reduced federal sentence for fentanyl distribution before returning to similar criminal conduct after his release.
Authorities also stated that while in custody, Patterson made threats against his attorney and a federal prosecutor.
“This sentence was well deserved in this case given the huge quantity of deadly fentanyl involved and Patterson’s pattern of violent and drug-related criminal conduct,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano. “This case underscores the ongoing efforts of federal and local law enforcement to combat the distribution of fentanyl, a highly dangerous and often deadly substance contributing to the opioid crisis nationwide.”
DEA Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Saccone said the sentence sends a strong message to traffickers.
“This 20-year sentence sends a clear message: those who profit from poisoning our communities with fentanyl will be held accountable,” Saccone said. “Through Fentanyl Free America, DEA is relentlessly targeting the individuals and networks responsible for distributing this deadly drug.”
Sergeant Julian Covella of the RAVEN Task Force praised the collaborative efforts of local and federal investigators.
“This sentence is reflective of the many hours of hard work and dedication shown by the lead investigator in this case and the RAVEN Task Force members as a whole,” Covella said. “The RAVEN Task Force is proud of the collaborative work between our local and federal partners as we continue to battle the fentanyl epidemic affecting our community.”
The case was filed under federal court case number 2:24-CR-00132-TOR-1.
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