Two Men Charged Federally for Marijuana Deal that turned Deadly

            Two south King County men on opposite sides of a drug deal gone bad have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Seattle, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  DAVID ROSS, 35, of Renton is charged with three federal felonies: conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and unlawful possession of a firearm.  LENNY BRIKN, JR, 19, of Federal Way is charged with five federal felonies in connection with the October 17, 2013 incident: conspiracy to commit robbery, attempted robbery, attempted possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and a drug trafficking crime and possession of a stolen firearm.

            “This case is a clear reminder that drugs and guns are a deadly mix and an appropriate target for federal prosecution,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  “The violent conduct in this case could have resulted in injuries or death to innocent bystanders.  Working closely with the King County Prosecutors Office we determined federal laws are the best tool to hold these men accountable.”

            According to the records filed in King County Superior Court as well as the indictment, ROSS and an associate arrived at a Federal Way apartment complex to sell marijuana to two men – BRIKN and his brother, Deshawn Boykin.  ROSS was armed with a gun, despite having two previous felony drug convictions that prohibit him from possessing a firearm.  BRIKN and Boykin drew “Mac 10” style semi-automatic pistols, ordered ROSS and his associate to lie on the ground, and attempted to rob them of the marijuana they brought to the drug deal.  BRIKN and Boykin ultimately ran away, and ROSS drew his gun and fired multiple times at the fleeing men.  Boykin was hit twice and died of his wounds at St. Francis Medical Center.

            ROSS was originally charged in King County Superior Court.  BRIKN was charged in King County Superior Court with an unrelated robbery in December 2013.  Both men will be brought to U.S. District Court in Seattle for arraignment later this month.

            ROSS is charged with discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum ten year sentence in addition to any other sentence imposed in the case.  BRIKN is charged with brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum seven year sentence in addition to any other sentence imposed in the case.

            The charges contained in the indictment 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 Federal Way Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.