The following press release was distributed earlier afternoon by the US Attorney’s Office.

FIVE DEFENDANTS CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH CRACK COCAINE DEALING IN SEATTLE’S PIONEER SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD

Law Enforcement Seized Kilo Quantities of Crack and Powder Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl

and Eight Firearms in Six Month Investigation

Three Seattle men are in custody, and two are being sought by law enforcement in connection with a 6-month investigation by the Seattle Police Department and DEA of significant drug trafficking in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. PATRICK TABLES, 53 and MICHAEL TURNER, 49, were taken into custody this morning. MARVIN TRAYLOR, 49, and JONATHON RUSHING, 39, both of Seattle are being sought by law enforcement. CLYDE MCKNIGHT, 49, of Seattle was taken into custody in January 2018, when law enforcement seized significant amounts of crack cocaine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin from his vehicle. The defendants taken into custody today made their initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle at 2:00 PM.

According to the indictments and criminal complaint filed in the case, CLYDE MCKNIGHT, the apparent leader of the drug distribution ring was arrested outside a Portland, Oregon motel room in January 2018, following the seizure of 3 kilos of cocaine, 2 kilos of heroin, 1.5 lbs. of crack cocaine, and 187 grams of fentanyl from his vehicle in Seattle. At the time of his arrest, MCKNIGHT had $39,000 and a handgun in his vehicle. Other defendants in the case are charged with drug distribution and gun crimes. RUSHING, TABLES and TRAYLOR are charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. RUSHING is charged with possession of crack cocaine and methamphetamine with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. TABLES is charged with multiple counts of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and TRAYLOR is charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. TURNER is charged by complaint with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possession of a weapon in furtherance of drug trafficking.

RUSHING has prior convictions in King County Superior Court for second degree murder (1997) and a federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm (2012).

The charges contained in the indictment 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.

This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved. The case is being investigated by the Seattle Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Vince Lombardi and Kate Vaughan.

Press contact for the U.S. Attorney’s Office is Public Affairs Officer Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov.