A well-known Seattle activist is accused of being part of a multi-state fentanyl trafficking ring.
The Justice Department has charged Marty Jackson with money laundering. Other members of her family were charged with drug trafficking.
The Seattle Times reports that the woman is the same Marty Jackson who was executive director of SE Network SafetyNet, which is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County.
We contacted the organization, which issued the following statement:
The safety and protection of the young people we serve, and our dedicated staff, is always our absolute top priority, and we take any situation that may impact on their well-being very seriously. Boys & Girls Clubs of King County has learned of Marty Jackson’s arrest. After learning this information, our organization took corrective measures. We will cooperate fully with authorities and have also launched an internal investigation to ensure the continued safety of club members and staff.
Boys & Girls Clubs of King County is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity and will not tolerate inappropriate or illegal activities by employees, volunteers or youth members. All employees must undergo a thorough criminal history investigation prior to employment and annually. All supervision procedures are designed to ensure the maximum safety and protection of club members and staff.
Because this is an active investigation, we cannot comment further. Our commitment to our club members, their families and our community is unwavering.
We previously interviewed Jackson when she spoke about gun violence prevention during a press conference last August.
Court documents linked 14 people to the drug ring, which investigators say targeted tribal communities. Authorities say the ring distributed massive amounts of fentanyl to members of the Lummi Nation and other reservations.
“This heartless drug trafficking organization is accused of distributing quantities of fentanyl large enough to potentially kill nearly a million people. That would fill Lumen Field more than 15 times over,” said David Reames of the DEA in Seattle.
Agents also seized 29 guns and at least $116,000 in cash.
Ten other people are still in custody in this case.
Investigators are still looking for suspect Markell Jackson.
Marty Jackson was released on bail.
