A 31-year-old man who robbed a marijuana trafficker with his accomplices was sentenced to 14 years in prison, federal officials said.
Charles Slaughter was on federal supervision for bank fraud in 2013 when he robbed a marijuana trafficker from Maple Valley, Washington.
The drug dealer Jason Loke was tied up, got free and began firing a gun, hitting two of Slaughter’s accomplices, federal officials said.
“A neighborhood became a shooting range because this defendant and his drug trafficker brought their violent business into its quiet streets,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “This is the fourth case we have charged in less than a year that involved gunfire used in connection with a marijuana business. Guns and drugs do not mix. Those who put lives and community safety at risk will be held accountable.”
Slaughter and three accomplices drove to the drug dealer’s house. One of the people with Slaughter waited in the car believing that the other three were simply buying drugs, federal officials said.
Slaughter and another man robbed Loken of marijuana and numerous firearms at gunpoint, tying his hands with zip ties, officials said.
As Slaughter and two others left the house, the drug dealer was able to free himself, grab a firearm he had hidden under the mattress of his bed, and started shooting, officials said.
The woman who waited in the car was hit, as was Slaughter’s co-defendant Ferdinand Clay. Clay was shot in the face, neck and hip but recovered from his wounds, according to authorities.
Clay pleaded guilty to robbery and brandishing a firearm and is facing seven years in prison when he is sentenced in June.
Officials said that after shots were fired, the robbery team sped away tossing bloodied items from the car, including some of the stolen firearms, which were recovered by police along the highway.
Loken plead guilty to drug and firearms charges and will be sentenced for his criminal conduct on May 27, 2014.