Kennewick Man Sentenced to Over 9 Years in Federal Prison for Trafficking 21,000 Fentanyl Laced Pills

Richland, Washington – On August 29, 2023, Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Michael Lee Vantiger, age 43, to 115 months in in federal prison after his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl. Vantiger, who is from Kennewick, WA, also will serve 5 years of federal supervision after he is released from custody. 

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Vantiger had been under investigation on multiple occasions, by both the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (“DEA”) Resident Office. In February 2020, Vantiger was arrested after a traffic stop where he was attempting to transport approximately 21,000 fentanyl laced pills which were concealed in the trunk of a rental vehicle. At the time, this was one of the largest single seizures of deadly fentanyl laced pills in this district. The items seized are pictured below:

Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, stated “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing this country. Egregious consequences stem from this dangerous poison. The Eastern District of Washington is safer and stronger today as a result of the incredible work of several law enforcement agencies, who came together to seize these drugs and save lives in our community.”

“This case illustrates how determined DEA and our federal, state, and local partners are in stopping those that pedal poisonous fentanyl into our communities.  Mr. Vantiger was on our radar a few times, so it is satisfying to apprehend and incarcerate those who act in continual disdain for our communities’ safety and well-being,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division.

This case was investigated by the DEA Tri-Cities Resident Office, the Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force, United States Border Patrol, Richland Police Department, Kennewick Police Department, Pasco Police Department, West Richland Police Department, and the Benton County Sherriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. 

4:20-CR-06010-SAB