Detectives arrested three people and seized a large cache of drugs, weapons, and cash during a two-day investigation targeting suspected drug trafficking in Clallam County, the sheriff’s office said.
The operation began Tuesday, March 11, when the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team started looking into a drug-dealing operation believed to be operating in the county. That investigation initially led to the arrests of two Clallam County residents, Patrick Nelson and Johnny Watts, authorities said.
As detectives continued to follow leads the next day, they learned a group from Kitsap County was staying at the 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim and was allegedly involved in selling narcotics locally, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators worked with local law enforcement agencies and casino surveillance staff to locate the group and make contact.
Detectives arrested 35-year-old Kitsap County resident Dylan Marsh-Backs after establishing probable cause to charge him with delivery of a controlled substance, deputies said.
During a search incident to his arrest, detectives allegedly recovered 196.37 grams of fentanyl packaged for distribution, along with a digital scale, packaging materials, and two loaded pistol magazines.
A search warrant later executed on Marsh-Backs’ vehicle led investigators to a .45 caliber pistol and ammunition, the sheriff’s office said. Marsh-Backs is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, including unlawful possession of a firearm and delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance, according to authorities.
He was booked into the Clallam County Jail on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Bail was set at $250,000.
Detectives also arrested 43-year-old Kitsap County resident Jonathan Karns during the investigation.
While executing a search warrant on a vehicle containing Karns’ luggage, investigators found a large quantity of fentanyl, a digital scale with residue, documents related to suspected drug sales, a 9mm pistol, and a bolt-action shotgun, deputies said.
Karns is also prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions, including taking a motor vehicle without permission, burglary, and felony assault.
He was booked into the Clallam County Jail on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of a firearm. Bail was also set at $250,000.
A third person, 41-year-old Key Peninsula resident Lindsey Heidner, was detained during the operation and found to be carrying a 9mm pistol without a concealed pistol license, deputies said.
Heidner was booked into the Clallam County Jail on a charge of unlawful carry of a firearm. Bail was set at $30,000.
A fourth individual was detained and questioned at the scene but later released.
Across the two-day investigation, detectives seized 261.86 grams of suspected fentanyl, 515.27 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and 30.25 grams of suspected cocaine.
Investigators also recovered 147 Suboxone strips, seven pistols, two shotguns, one rifle, drug scales and packaging materials, and approximately $18,980 in cash, deputies said.
Officials credited their success to cooperation between multiple agencies and staff at the casino.
Participating agencies included the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, Sequim Police Department, Port Angeles Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Peninsula Crisis Response Team, and the Washington Department of Corrections, authorities said.
Officials also thanked staff at 7 Cedars Casino for assisting investigators with surveillance and coordination during the operation.
The Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team is a regional task force made up of local and federal partners focused on investigating drug trafficking and violent crime in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
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