THO DONG PHAN, 26, of Renton, Washington was sentenced to ten years in prison today for Possession of MDMA with Intent to Distribute. In asking for the lengthy sentence, government prosecutors told U.S. District Judge Franklin D. Burgess that PHAN has a history of escalating crimes. “What is certain is that Tho Dong Phan is a menace who preys on the public through theft, violence, and drug dealing,” wrote Assistant United States Attorney Michael Dion to the court.

According to court filings, PHAN was arrested November 15, 2004 at the McDonald’s restaurant in Fife, Washington. The day before, PHAN had agreed to sell a confidential informant 10,000 tablets of MDMA commonly known as Ecstasy. When PHAN met the informant at the McDonalds, he told the informant to access PHAN’s trunk through the interior of his car. The informant found the package of ecstasy and PHAN was arrested.

PHAN has a lengthy history of state crimes. In 1995, he used a screwdriver to attack a student on a school bus. In 2000, he was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm. In 2001, PHAN was convicted of Assault and Robbery. Less than a year after completing the 43 month sentence handed down in those cases, PHAN was arrested in this drug case.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Dion.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206)553-4110.

Return to Top