Member of Violent Vancouver Street Gang Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution Defendant Sold Cocaine and Crack Cocaine

SHAWN A. GOLDFINCH, 27, of Vancouver, Washington, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to Distribution of Cocaine and Distribution of Crack Cocaine. GOLDFINCH was arrested September 10, 2009, by members of the Southwest Washington Interagency Gang Enforcement Team (“SWIGET”) following a number of drug sales in Vancouver, Washington. Under the terms of the plea agreement, both the defense and the prosecution will recommend an eight-year prison term when GOLDFINCH is sentenced on April 30, 2010. However, Judge Robert J. Bryan is not bound by the plea agreement and could impose any sentence up to the maximum, 40 years in prison.

According to the plea agreement, GOLDFINCH sold cocaine in Vancouver, Washington on February 4, 2009 and March 16, 2009. On March 24, 2009, GOLDFINCH sold crack cocaine. The drug deals were captured in audio recordings. Prior to the investigation, GOLDFINCH was identified as a member of the “Norteno” street gang. The gang formed in the 1960s in California, and across the country gang members are involved in crimes of violence, drug trafficking, firearms violations, extortion, and intimidation.

The case was investigated by the SWIGET, which is made up of officers and agents of the FBI, Vancouver Police Department (VPD), Clark County Sheriff’s Department and the Washington State Department of Corrections. SWIGET was formed to combat violent gang crime in the Vancouver, Washington area.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mike Dion.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.