Central Washington man sentenced to 192 months for drug and firearms offenses | Local

YAKIMA – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Jacob Rodney Penny, 44, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or Rather a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and firearms offenses. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 192 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

According to court documents and information presented at trial, the case began on May 13, 2022, when a residential burglary victim saw an ad on Craigslist for ski equipment matching the stolen items. Law enforcement contacted the seller, arranged the purchase, and learned that a friend of the seller would deliver the skis to Wolf Den in Wapato, Washington, driving a newer white Chevy Tahoe. Jacob Rodney Penny arrived at the predetermined location driving a white Tahoe, where law enforcement conducted a traffic stop and detained him. Penny admitted he was aware he was being pulled over for “stupid skis” and claimed he was delivering them because they wouldn’t fit in his friend’s vehicle.

After executing a search warrant on Tahoe, law enforcement discovered four large bags containing hundreds of fentanyl pills, two smaller bags containing 100 to 200 fentanyl pills each, a small amount of methamphetamine, a scale with drug residue, two 9 mm handguns and $2,600 in cash.

“I am grateful to the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office for their excellent investigation into this case. “What began as an investigation into a set of stolen skis led to the discovery of deadly fentanyl that could have claimed the lives of those who call the Yakima Valley home,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “My office, working with our law enforcement partners, is committed to stopping the spread of illegal drugs in Eastern Washington. By working together, we can make our communities safer and stronger for everyone.”

“Sometimes an unexpected break leads to success,” said Richard A. Collodi, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle Field Office. “In this case, a property crime resulted in a drug dealer being sent to federal prison. The FBI and our partners will continue to work to keep these dangerous drugs off the streets and into our communities.”

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas Hanlon.