COLIN D. WALMSLEY, 31, of Shoreline, Washington, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to participating in a conspiracy to distribute pharmaceutical controlled substances in violation of federal law (Count 1), and to being a user of methamphetamine in possession of a firearm (Count 2). These felony offenses are punishable by up to twenty years imprisonment and a one million dollar fine.

WALMSLEY acknowledged receiving thousands of pills over a two year period, between 2004 and 2006, from individuals involved in an extensive pharmacy burglary ring in Snohomish County, Washington. WALMSLEY received and distributed quantities of oxycodone, morphine, and methadone, Schedule II controlled substances, and Schedule III and Schedule IV stimulants and tranquilizers. WALMSLEY admitted that on some occasions he attempted to assist in the pharmacy burglaries, but that his main participation was in the sale and distribution of the stolen drugs to others.

WALMSLEY sold the pills largely out of his residence in Snohomish County. During this period, search warrants were executed at WALMSLEY’s residence in Shoreline, Washington, and related searches were conducted, resulting in the recovery of drugs that the defendant was using and distributing, and firearms that he possessed, including a Glock 19, pistol, Walther P-22 pistol, Butler Derringer pistol, Ruger pistol, Taurus pistol, and Smith & Wesson .357 revolver. WALMSLEY possessed these firearms during the same time that he was using methamphetamine.

In addition, WALMSLEY admitted that during November 2005, he and another of the pharmacy burglars broke into a GameStop video store at 1402 164th Street SW in Lynnwood, and stole computer game equipment.

WALMSLEY is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik on November 30, 2007.

This was an Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, providing supplemental federal funding to the federal and state agencies involved.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald J. Friedman.

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

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