Spokane Woman Sentenced to Fifteen Years in Federal Prison for Her Role in Violent Drug Trafficking Organization

Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Aarayana Leigh Malcolm, age 46, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after having previously pled guilty on October 24, 2014 to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Pure Methamphetamine. United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Malcolm to a fifteen year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a ten year term of court supervision after her release from Federal prison.

According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, on June 29, 2013, an improvised explosive device was detonated under a vehicle parked in the 5800 block of North Monroe in Spokane, Washington. This led to an investigation by the BAT&E, the FBI, and the Spokane Police Department. The BATF&E became the lead investigative agency and subsequently discovered a connection to Malcolm. While initially seeming unrelated, a towing company had contacted the Spokane Police Department after discovering over 340 grams of pure methamphetamine and approximately 50 grams of black tar heroin in a vehicle Malcolm had been driving. However, with additional assistance from the DEA, agents discovered that Malcolm was a leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed multiple-pound-quantities of methamphetamine and heroin on a weekly basis during the first six months of 2013. The overall investigation resulted in the resolution of three drive-by shootings where two people were shot, which shootings were linked to members of Malcolm’s drug trafficking organization.

In addition to Malcolm’s conviction, seven other individuals associated with Malcolm’s drug trafficking organization were convicted and sentenced in the Eastern District of Washington, as a result of this lengthy investigation. These others include:

Siaosilepelenise L.TUAIMALO, age 34, of Spokane, Washington, who plead guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Pure Methamphetamine on November 2, 2015 and was sentenced to a fifteen year term of imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice on January 6, 2016. Daniel C. VILLALOBOS, age 36, of Spokane, Washington, who plead guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Pure Methamphetamine on November 2, 2015 and was sentenced to a twelve year term of imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice on January 12, 2016.

Robert William SHOWERS, age 47, of Spokane, Washington, plead guilty to being a Felon in Possession of Explosives on April 15, 2014 and was sentenced to a four year term of imprisonment by Chief United States District Rosanna Malouf Peterson on October 8, 2015.

Adam HANKINS, age 48, of Spokane, Washington, plead guilty to being a Felon in Possession of Explosives on June 20, 2014 and was sentenced to a three year term of imprisonment by Senior United States District Judge Justin L. Quackenbush on November 18, 2014.

Adam T. LAYTON, age 22, of Spokane, Washington, plead guilty to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm on March 20, 2014 and was sentenced to a thirty month term of imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice on March 18, 2015.

Nanukayet C. FINLEY, age 25, of Spokane, Washington plead guilty to being a Felon in Possession of Firearms on January 19, 2014 and was sentenced to a six month term of imprisonment by Chief United States District Rosanna Malouf Peterson on October 8, 2015.

Ella J. CLAASSEN, age 42, of Spokane, Washington, plead guilty to Misprision of a Felony on October 18, 2013 and was sentenced to a six month term of imprisonment by Chief United States District Rosanna Malouf Peterson on September 27, 2015.

Michael C. Ormsby stated: “This investigation is yet another example of the strong working partnership among the Federal and local law enforcement agencies in the Eastern District of Washington. I commend the tireless efforts of the law enforcement personnel involved in this investigation. Their dedication to the mission of keeping our communities safe cannot be understated.”

Douglas R. Dawson, Special Agent in Charge of the BATF&E, stated: "This investigation is a strong example of ATF's commitment to work alongside our law enforcement partners holding responsible those subjects who threaten the safety of our community."

This investigation was an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Spokane Police Department. The cases were prosecuted by Earl A Hicks and Matthew F. Duggan, with assistance from Criminal Division Chief Aine Ahmed, each of whom are Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.