United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SEATTLE - A Snohomish, Washington, man who was sentenced just last week to 78 months in prison for dealing fentanyl-laced pills and cocaine is back behind bars tonight after being arrested on his way to a drug deal in Whatcom County. Michael John Scott, who tells his drug contacts to call him the ‘Italian Stallion,’ was released on bond following his Jan.24, 2020, sentencing hearing.  While waiting to get his prison assignment, Scott continued to set up drug deals for fentanyl-laced pills.  Scott is now charged with possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“Not even a federal prison sentence could deter this defendant from the lure of cash generated by his drug dealing,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. “He has repeatedly lived a lavish lifestyle funded by drug money despite a state drug trafficking conviction in 2013, and a federal conviction in 2019. With this third arrest for trafficking dangerous fentanyl-laced pills, his lifestyle will be limited to a federal prison cell for quite some time.”

According to records filed in the case, Scott pleaded guilty in June 2019 for his role in U.S. v Hernandez et al, a 32-defendant drug trafficking case that was unsealed in December 2018. Scottwas a high-volume redistributor of fentanyl-laced imitation oxycodone pills and cocaine.  Scott delivered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to his cartel suppliers for the drugs–sometimes as much as $150,000 at a time. When Scotts home was searched in December 2018, law enforcement recovered illegal drugs, more than $40,000 in cash, and other tools of the drug trade.

Even as Scott was awaiting sentencing, he began communicating with a confidential source, offering fentanyl pills for sale.  While under law enforcement supervision, the source agreed to meet and purchase the pills.  Law enforcement executed a traffic stop on Scott’s car as he traveled up I-5 to complete the drug deal.  Investigators found 9 baggies of what appear to be fake oxycodone pills, with approximately 100 pills in each bag, heroin, and cash. When they served a search warrant on Scott’s home, they found more drugs, more cash, and a loaded firearm in his bedside table. According to law enforcement, the firearm was reported as stolen in King County in early November 2019.

As presently charged in the criminal complaint, distribution of controlled substances is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and being a felon in possession of a firearm is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.