KEY PIERCE COUNTY DRUG DISTRIBUTOR SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR ROLE IN MAJOR PRISON GANG TRAFFICKING CONSPIRACY

TACOMA, Wash. — A Puyallup man identified by federal prosecutors as a key narcotics distributor for a drug trafficking organization tied to two white prison gangs has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison following his conviction for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Daniel Hammond, 44, received the sentence Wednesday from Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo after a federal jury convicted him in February 2026 following a four-day trial.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Estudillo emphasized the devastating impact narcotics trafficking has on communities and rejected any suggestion that Hammond’s criminal conduct was isolated or driven solely by addiction.

“These substances have wreaked havoc in our communities…. We are not dealing with someone who is just an addict who committed a petty crime, this was not just a one-time decision… the history shows you had a lifestyle living off of this type of conduct,” Judge Estudillo said.”

According to federal prosecutors, Hammond played a significant role in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl throughout the Tacoma area as part of a broader drug trafficking organization connected to members and associates of the Aryan Family and Omerta, two predominantly white prison gangs operating both inside and outside correctional facilities.

The investigation began in March 2023, when the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration launched a lengthy, multi-agency investigation into narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and related criminal activity linked to the organization. Prosecutors alleged the network distributed methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine throughout Western Washington and into other states.

Federal authorities said Hammond routinely obtained multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine along with thousands of fentanyl pills for redistribution within the region. Prosecutors also alleged that after his arrest, Hammond attempted to arrange additional narcotics transactions by contacting a drug supplier in Mexico while he remained on pretrial release.

First Assistant United States Attorney Charles Neil Floyd said Hammond continued pursuing drug trafficking opportunities despite already facing federal prosecution.

“Mr. Hammond had the ability to order up multi-pound quantities of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills that he then sold throughout the Tacoma area,” Floyd said. “Even after his arrest in this case, Hammond reached out to a drug supplier in Mexico seeking to do more deals while he was on pretrial release. This lengthy sentence is needed to stop his distribution of potentially deadly narcotics in our community.”

The investigation resulted in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 830,000 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, hundreds of firearms, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in suspected drug proceeds. Authorities said those seizures reflected the size and reach of the trafficking organization investigators spent two years dismantling.

According to prosecutors, Hammond served as a key associate of Yehoshua Kilp, whom investigators identified as one of three leaders overseeing separate branches of the trafficking organization. Kilp previously was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for his role in the conspiracy.

FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington said Hammond played a significant role in moving dangerous narcotics into Washington communities.

“Mr. Hammond played a key role in a widespread and lethal conspiracy to traffic vast amounts of dangerous drugs into Washington state, personally redistributing multiple pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills on a weekly basis. … Alongside our partners, the FBI will continue to seek out every avenue to protect our communities from toxic illicit substances and those who traffic in them.”

DEA Seattle Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Saccone said Hammond’s activities helped support a larger criminal enterprise while contributing to addiction throughout the region.

“Daniel Hammond helped fuel a criminal enterprise that flooded our communities with methamphetamine and fentanyl while enriching a violent prison gang,” Saccone said. “DEA and our law enforcement partners are relentlessly disrupting the criminal organizations responsible for trafficking deadly drugs into our communities and holding those who profit from addiction accountable.”

The case was investigated by the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Washington State Department of Corrections, and numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Assistant United States Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner, and Jehiel Baer prosecuted the case.

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