United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Spokane, Washington - U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Division joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington and other federal, local, and state partners on May 8, 2025, to announce charges against twenty-one (21) individuals.  Fifteen separate indictments were returned alleging dozens of charges against these defendants.  

The arrests follow a long-term joint federal investigation that began in October 2024, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). This 7-month long investigation has targeted violent individuals and armed drug traffickers in Spokane as well as individuals operating in what has become nothing less than an open-air drug market on Division Street downtown. These individuals have been problems in multiple states, impacting multiple communities during their lifetimes, in not only Washington State, but also Texas, Nevada, North Dakota, Montana, Alabama, Idaho, Oregon, and California.

"Drugs and guns are evils that go together, and as highlighted in this case, some of the worst violent offenders in the Spokane area now face federal charges," said DEA Seattle Special Agent in Charge David F. Reames.  "The drug seizures in this case were significant.  More than 200,000 potentially deadly doses of fentanyl were taken out of circulation, and our streets are safer today because of law enforcement's efforts. I am proud DEA could help our partners bring this surge to a successful conclusion, while also saving lives here in Spokane and throughout Eastern Washington."

Upon release of the latest indictment, which was unsealed earlier today upon the arrest of several additional suspects, Acting United States Attorney Rich Barker stated, "I am grateful for the coordinated efforts of so many law enforcement agencies, who worked together to coordinate the takedown of this alleged drug trafficking operation."  Acting U.S. Attorney Barker continued, "It is an honor work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners on such important prosecutions, which help remove illegal drugs and firearms from our community.  Our community and nation are safer, because of the work of our law enforcement and prosecution teams."

To date, agents seized nearly 14-pounds of methamphetamine, over 1 kilogram of heroin, over 16,000 fentanyl pills, over 5.5 pounds of fentanyl powder, almost $60,000 in drug proceeds, as well as four vehicles and 36 firearms.  In connection with the prosecution, the United States has filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the Eastern District of Washington against a local Spokane apartment complex located near North Central High School, which allegedly was being used to distribute illegal drugs and a place for individuals to obtain firearms. Properties such as this one are not only a community safety issue as a free for all of illicit activity, they are also a drain on public resources that could be used elsewhere.  For example, in the last 2.5 years, records show there have been approximately 58 separate calls for service at the address.

According to unsealed charging documents, the following individuals, many of whom have ties to various street gangs and who have a history of violence, have been charged in connection with the investigation. Additionally, the names of others indicted in connection with this investigation will be unsealed upon the arrest of those individuals.

Andrew Vincent Auerbach, charged with Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking.  Auerbach has a prior federal conviction for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Daryl Edward Boone, 45, charged with Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, Possess with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Distribution of 5 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine

James M. Ferguson, 33, charged with Unlawful Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun

Jonathan Jacob Inglis, 40, pleaded guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl. On January 30, 2025, he was sentenced to 151 months in prison.

Nathan Carlson Johnson, 44, charged with Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine.

James Lelacheur, 56, charged with Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine. 

Christopher Wayne O'Neal, charged with Distribution of 5 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine.  O'Neal is currently in Spokane County Jail stemming from a separate drug trafficking investigation.

Gabriella Sherif Rizkalla, charged with multiple counts of Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, and Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine

Roland Dewayne Sanders, 36, charged with Distribution of Fentanyl, Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl.  Sanders was on federal supervised release at the time of his offense and utilized his minor child to assist in the distribution of fentanyl.

Bernie Ray Shaw Jr., 45, charged with Distribution of Fentanyl

Courtney A. Wheeler, charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

Andrew Lee Williams, charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

Anthony Dale Williams, charged with Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy to Possess a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, multiple counts of Distribution of 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, and Distribution of Cocaine.

The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation along with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Moses Lake Police Department, Border Patrol, and the Washington Department of Corrections. Additional assistance was provided by the United States Marshals Service and the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

WILLIAMS et al - 2:25-CR-75-RLP
SANDERS - 2:25-CR-15-MKD
LELACHER - 2:24-CR-16-MKD
FERGUSON - 2:24-CR-158-RLP
JOHNSON - 2:24-CR-159-MKD
AUERBACH - 2:25-CR-16-TOR
INGLIS - 2:23-CR-56-TOR
SHAW - 2:24-CR-163-MKD
BOONE - 2:24-CR-164-RLP

United States of America v. Real Property Known as 625 West Maxwell Avenue Spokane Washington et al, 2:25-cv-00148-RLP