United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SPOKANE, Wash. – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Michael Ryan Shoemaker, 35, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced in federal court in Yakima for Distribution of Fifty Grams or More of Pure (Actual) Methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Mr. Shoemaker to a total of 120 months in federal prison and ordered Mr. Shoemaker to serve a five-year term of supervised release. Mr. Shoemaker pled guilty on February 2, 2022.

According to court documents, in October 2020, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Yakima Task Force identified Mr. Shoemaker as a largescale methamphetamine trafficker, operating in the Yakima area. Relying on a confidential source, DEA conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Mr. Shoemaker at his home near downtown Yakima. There, Shoemaker sold the confidential source more than 100 grams of methamphetamine. 

“This investigation is another example of the DEA’s commitment to protect our communities, and this sentence should serve as a warning to those who question our resolve in bringing to justice those who choose to distribute illicit narcotics,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division.

United States Attorney Waldref commended the efforts of law enforcement for working to keep the Eastern District safe: “The DEA’s Yakima Task Force identified Mr. Shoemaker and quickly put a stop to his distribution of methamphetamine in the Yakima community.” U.S. Attorney Waldref continued, “Today’s sentence removes Mr. Shoemaker from the community for ten years and reiterates the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s commitment to vigorously prosecuting those who distribute poison in Eastern Washington.” 

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Yakima Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Todd Swensen prosecuted the case. 

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