Sequim Drug Trafficker Arrested Following High-Speed Chase

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington
February 25, 2014

Defendant Allegedly Used Car Dealership as a Front for Meth Distribution

The owner of Sellin Style car dealership in Sequim, Washington, was arrested on drug trafficking charges Sunday evening following a high-speed chase that ended after two sets of spike strips were placed on the highway, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. Timothy P. Smith, 29, a longtime Clallam County resident, was charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, four counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and maintaining a drug involved premises. Two of Smith’s co-conspirators, Kelsey A. Davis and Tammy R. Coburn were also charged in the case. Smith remains detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, Washington. Davis is in federal custody with a detention hearing Thursday. Coburn is being sought by law enforcement.

“The charges in this case follow a lengthy investigation of Timothy Smith’s drug dealing in Clallam County,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “Federal law enforcement officers with ATF, FBI, and DEA worked closely with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and other local partners to shut down the meth dealing which was a blight on the community. Smith and his cohorts now face significant federal sentences for their criminal conduct.”

“I am pleased that this complex investigation involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies has resulted in the arrest of a prolific drug dealer in Clallam County,” said Sheriff Bill Benedict. “This criminal enterprise has fueled too much personal misery and property crime in Clallam County. I am grateful to our federal partners in the DEA, FBI, ATF, and DOJ, as well as the Washington State Patrol, for the successful outcome in this operation.”

According to the criminal complaint and police reports on the arrest, Smith and his cohorts were under investigation by law enforcement as early as February 2012. On multiple occasions Smith, Davis, and Coburn sold methamphetamine to a person working with law enforcement. Smith sold methamphetamine on multiple occasions in June, July, and August 2013 at his Sellin Style car dealership on Old Blyn Highway near Sequim.

As part of an investigation and take down of a larger drug ring, supplying methamphetamine to Smith and others, law enforcement arrested Smith as he traveled back to Sequim on Sunday evening February 23, 2014. Shortly after Smith and Davis’ vehicle crossed the Hood Canal Bridge, the Washington State Patrol pulled the car over. After initially stopping, Smith sped away, traveling at speeds nearing 100 mph and weaving into the lane for oncoming traffic. Troopers noticed white bags tossed from the car. Inside was 1.6 pounds of suspected methamphetamine. The car hit one set of spike strips and continued on. After hitting a second set of spike strips, the car came to a halt, and Smith and Davis were taken into custody.

The charges contained in the complaint are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the FBI, ATF, DEA, and Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Task Force (OPNET) containing officers from Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Port Angeles Police Department, Sequim Police Department, Neah Bay Department of Public Safety, Elwha Klallam Police, LaPush Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Border Patrol, the Washington Department of Corrections, Washington State Patrol, and the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNet), which contains officers from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office and Poulsbo Police.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory A. Gruber.

Press contact for the U.S. Attorney’s Office is Emily Langlie at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@usdoj.gov.