Cusick Man Sentenced to 168 Months in Federal Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking

Spokane, Washington – United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Antoinne James Holmes, age 23, of Cusick, Washington, to 168 months in federal prison after Holmes had pleaded guilty on April 7, 2022 to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. Holmes’ sentence will run concurrently with a 151 month sentence imposed for related conduct in Idaho. Holmes was also ordered to serve 5 years of supervised release upon completion of his prison time and to pay restitution.

According to court documents, Holmes, along with a co-defendant, was a distributor of fentanyl laced pills in both Eastern Washington and Idaho. On both May 14, 2020 and November 16, 2020, Holmes was contacted by law enforcement in Eastern Washington and found to be in possession of fentanyl laced pills and firearms. Holmes’ fentanyl trafficking directly impacted many lives in Eastern Washington and Idaho. On August 28, 2020, Holmes distributed fentanyl to a sixteen-year-old in Bonner County, Idaho, who subsequently died of a fentanyl overdose. Holmes was prosecuted for that distribution in the District of Idaho and sentenced to a concurrent 151 months’ imprisonment. On November 16, 2020, Holmes and his co-defendant used fentanyl in the presence of a five-month-old baby. The child overdosed on fentanyl but survived. Holmes was also identified as a fentanyl distributor to a Newport, Washington man, who subsequently died of a fentanyl overdose.

United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref, who is the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Officer in the Eastern District of Washington, stated, “Our hearts go out to every person and family affected by this terrible drug. As a result of Mr. Holmes’ involvement in distributing fentanyl, a family is morning the loss of their sixteen-year-old child. This significant sentence reflects how Mr. Holmes was caught with fentanyl not once, but twice, and put other children at risk. I am grateful for the joint efforts of our law enforcement partners, who work every day to keep Eastern Washington safe and strong by removing this poison from our communities.”

“Unfortunately, this is another tragic example that One Pill Can Kill,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “We will continue to work with all our state, local, and federal partners to hold accountable individuals like Mr. Holmes and ensure we keep our communities safe and healthy.”

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office, the Newport Police Department, the Sandpoint Police Department, and the Idaho State Police. This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.