Distributor of potentially tainted pills charged in federal court with drug crimes

A Bellingham, WA man was charged in federal court today with two drug crimes related to cocaine and heroin found in his apartment, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran.  TONY LEE WILLIAMS, 33, was arrested this morning following an investigation by the Lummi Tribal Police and the FBI.  The investigation began late yesterday, when medics responded to a home on the Lummi reservation where a woman was unresponsive.  The woman could not be revived with NARCAN and is deceased.  Pills ingested by the woman are linked to those sold by WILLIAMS.  Lab analysis of the pills is underway to determine whether they are tainted with a substance such as fentanyl.

“It is critically important that the word go out about these potentially deadly pills,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. “Right now we don’t know whether the pills are directly connected to the death.  However, anyone buying street pills that appear to be oxycodone 30s – like those described in this case -- could be risking his or her life by ingesting them.”

The pills were sold to those associated with nightclubs in Bellingham, as well as on the Lummi Reservation.

WILLIAMS is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of heroin with intent to distribute.  According to the criminal complaint, WILLIAMS sold the pills to a brother and sister who distributed them to others.  When law enforcement searched WILLIAMS’ apartment, they recovered cocaine, heroin, and 30 additional pills that appear to be oxycodone.

The drug crimes are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Rebecca Cohen, Chantelle Dial, and J. Tate London.