Drug trafficker who illegally possessed more than 20 guns – twelve purchased by a “straw buyer” -- pleads guilty

Seattle – a 32-year-old Federal Way man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to four federal felonies involving guns and drugs, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. De’ondre Lamontia Phillips, aka Deondre Lamontia McDougle, is half of a pair of defendants involved in a firearms straw purchasing scheme that involved the purchase of 100 firearms in a two-year period. Phillips pleaded guilty today to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and two counts of illegal possession of firearms. Philips is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez on April 26, 2024.

According to records filed in the case, the investigation began in late January 2023, with the assault and attempted robbery of a woman in Rainier Valley. The victim was able to flee in her car. Police found a firearm in her vehicle that had been dropped by one of the assailants. A check of the firearm revealed it had been purchased by 31-year-old Kent resident Dion Jamar Cooper in December 2022. That recovery led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) to check Cooper’s purchase history. Cooper had purchased 107 firearms since June 2021. On 24 different instances he purchased multiple firearms – sometimes four or more. Of the 107 firearms identified as being purchased in this scheme, 24 of the guns have been recovered and linked to crimes.

During March and April of 2023, agents surveilled Cooper as he made arrangements to purchase additional firearms. Agents identified De’ondre Lamontia Phillips as the person who drove Cooper to the gun shops where he purchased the firearms. Phillips is prohibited from purchasing and possessing firearms due to convictions for distribution of heroin (2014) and convictions for illegal firearms possession and two counts of assault (2009). Surveillance of the two revealed Cooper turning the firearms over to Phillips who stored them in his residence.

On April 12, 2023, investigators arrested Phillips and searched his apartment, his car, and his storage unit. They found distribution amounts of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine as well as drug packaging materials and scales. In all, Phillips possessed 23 firearms – most of them handguns – and some firearms that were privately manufactured with no serial numbers. Ten of the firearms had been purchased by co-defendant Cooper on the day of the search and arrest.

Possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is punishable by a mandatory minimum five years in prison to run consecutive to any sentence imposed on the other charges. Unlawful possession of firearms is punishable by up to fifteen years in prison.

Prosecutors have agreed to recommend no more than eight years in prison. Judge Martinez is not bound by the recommendation and is free to recommend any sentence allowed by law.

The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Seattle Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.