PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Two key members of a drug trafficking ring in Washington were sentenced to prison on Wednesday for their roles in selling meth and fentanyl to heavily-armed members of a prison gang, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

The couple from Steilacoom -- 40-year-old Jesse Bailey and his wife 43-year-old Candace Bailey -- were sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 17.5 years in prison and five years in prison, respectively, officials said.

“It is unimaginable how many drugs were being distributed,” Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo said during Jesse Bailey’s sentencing, noting that he grew up with parents who faced drug addiction. “You know the damage it creates, and you are now the one creating that for so many people.”

“Jesse Bailey and his wife Candace worked hand-in-hand to distribute devastating and dangerous drugs in our community,” officials said. “The Baileys were at the top of the drug conspiracy pyramid, selling multi-pound quantities of meth and fentanyl to heavily armed members of their drug ring. And they too increased the danger by stockpiling firearms, including a fully automatic M4 machine gun.”

W. Mike Herrington, special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle field office, explained that the Bailey's ran a multi-state conspiracy trafficking "vast amounts of dangerous drugs" into Washington state.

In March 2023, the FBI led a takedown of the drug ring -- arresting two dozen people, including the Baileys, seizing 177 guns, more than 10 kilograms of meth, 11 kilos of fentanyl pills, more than a kilo of fentanyl powder, three kilos of heroin and more than $330,000 in cash from 18 locations in Washington and Arizona, authorities said.

"While even small quantities of drugs such as fentanyl can be lethal, this group was poisoning our communities by trafficking in kilogram quantities that could fill up suitcases," Herrington said. "To all those who might consider following in the Baileys' footsteps, the consequences imposed today send a clear message: the only thing to be gained from these crimes is time behind bars. I am grateful to our investigators and local law enforcement partners for their steadfast efforts to make our home a safer place.”

As part of the drug ring, Candace Bailey bought firearms, which she gave to her husband, knowing he was a convicted felon and banned from possessing guns, according to court documents.

“Candace Bailey stayed fully informed on her and Jesse Bailey’s joint drug trafficking business, was knowledgeable of Jesse Bailey’s violent tendencies, and was engaged in their negotiations with their partner in drug trafficking…. Candace Bailey made it clear to co-conspirators that she was an equal partner in the venture as well… She initially met Jesse Bailey while serving as a guard at the prison where he was incarcerated on charges of Assault in the First Degree for shooting at police officers during a high-speed chase,” prosecutors noted in their sentencing memo.

The two also attempted to launder their drug proceeds through casinos and various bank accounts, authorities said.

In November 2024, Jesse Bailey pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Candace Bailey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, illegally transferring a firearm to a prohibited person and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

Authorities said the Bailey’s are forfeiting nearly $700,000, expensive jewelry, 42 guns, multiple gun silencers, body armor, ammunition, scopes and tripods seized from their home along with a storage unit they used to store drugs.

“The Baileys ran a drug enterprise that poisoned the community with both dangerous drugs and hate,” said David F. Reames, special agent in charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The amount of money and the sheer volume of weapons seized in this case shows how dangerous this group was to the whole Puget Sound region, and I am proud of the work of our team to stop this hate-fueled, violent drug ring.”