The US Attorney’s Office announced that Yehoshua Kilp, the leader of a notorious drug distribution cell tied to Aryan prison gangs, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. According to Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller, Kilp’s conviction follows a two-year investigation into drug trafficking organizations linked to the Aryan Family and Omerta prison gangs.
During the sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo highlighted the “mind-boggling” amount of controlled narcotics involved, including strong amounts of fentanyl related to overdoses. Acting US Attorney Miller cited Kilp’s lengthy criminal history, which began at the age of 14, as well as his ongoing involvement in narcotics distribution while arrested on state crimes. Despite indications that the fentanyl pills were causing harm, Kilp considered ways to reduce the purity of the medicines and package them more securely for smuggling.
Law enforcement activities culminated in two dozen arrests on March 22, 2023, when 350 officers from ten SWAT teams carried out a coordinated takedown. This resulted in the recovery of an armory containing 177 weapons, large quantities of various substances, and more than $330,000 in cash. Earlier in the investigation, officials seized large amounts of narcotics and cash, as well as 48 guns.
The FBI led the investigation, which was part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) effort, with assistance from the DEA, HSI, Washington State Department of Corrections, and local law enforcement. In January 2025, the FBI sentenced Kilp’s co-defendant, Sara Thompson, to seven years in prison. In addition to trafficking accusations, Kilp faces money laundering charges stemming from operations in Mexico. Chief Judge Estudillo also ordered five years of supervised release after Kilp’s prison sentence.
Several additional law enforcement organizations assisted in the wider investigation, including the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Thurston County Narcotics Task Force, and regional units such as the Washington State Patrol and Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine. Assistant US Attorneys Zach Dillon, Max Shiner, and Jehiel Baer prosecuted Kilp and the broader narcotics ring.
