News

Man sentenced for role in drug ring tied to fatal overdose in Lummi Nation

Man sentenced for role in drug ring tied to fatal overdose in Lummi Nation

Photo: Saga Communications


SEATTLE, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Federal Way man who was part of a drug ring responsible for an overdose death on the Lummi Nation Reservation has been sentenced.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd announced on Thursday, Sept. 3, that 22-year-old Sir-Terrique Milam will spend nine years in prison for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

Milam was found to be a close associate of one of the leaders of a drug trafficking organization that was allegedly run by the Jackson family. Court documents state investigators heard him making plans over the phone to pick up over 30 pounds of fentanyl pills in Arizona.

“Mr. Milam was a trusted member of this drug trafficking organization – trusted to travel to Arizona and meet with the primary supplier of the drugs,” Floyd said in a news release. “He is a young man but already has convictions for promoting prostitution and illegal firearms possession. This prison sentence is needed to protect the community and break his cycle of crime.”

Milam was one of 14 people who were indicted in October 2024 for a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy that was linked to a fatal overdose at Lummi. It was one of four overdose deaths that occurred in the span of a single week on the reservation.

Law enforcement seized more than 846,000 fentanyl pills along with 15 pounds of fentanyl powder, 15 pounds of cocaine and 29 firearms over the course of the investigation. The Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force and Lummi Police Department were both among the investigating agencies.

Milam received the most prison time of the five members of the drug ring that have been sentenced so far.

The Jackson family and other alleged members of the operation have their trial scheduled for July 2027.

Recent Headlines

16 hours ago in Sports

Coco Gauff rallies to reach the US Open semifinals against new women’s No. 1 Elena Rybakina

Coco Gauff fought off a couple match points in a tiebreaker and beat Mirra Andreeva 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2 on Wednesday to set up a U.S. Open semifinal matchup against new No. 1 Elena Rybakina.

24 hours ago in Sports

Alcaraz says ‘I leave with a smile’ after epic US Open loss to Shelton

At the end, when five riveting sets and one agonizingly tight tiebreak were over — and when the latest-finishing match in U.S. Open history had concluded — Ben Shelton was not the only player smiling.

2 days ago in Sports

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani returns to lineup after 4-day break but won’t pitch again this season

Shohei Ohtani went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts and a walk in his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup Monday night after a four-day break to deal with lingering left knee and right biceps soreness. The two-way superstar isn't expected to pitch again this season.

2 days ago in Sports

Breanna Stewart embraces pressure on US as new faces chase a fifth straight World Cup

Breanna Stewart knows exactly how much pressure the U.S. team is under to keep its World Cup title streak going. The Americans have won four straight women's FIBA World Cup championships and she's been a part of the last three.

6 days ago in Sports

Eala, Osaka and Zverev advance, while No. 3 Auger-Aliassime falls at the US Open

Alex Eala and her fans are headed to the weekend at the U.S. Open, along with two-time champion Naomi Osaka and 2023 winner Coco Gauff. So are Madison Keys and men's top seed Alexander Zverev — just barely — but not No. 3 Felix Auger-Aliassime, who became the highest-seeded player knocked out of the tournament thus far.