Spokane Man Who Transported Tens of Thousands of Fentanyl Pills and Pound Quantities of Meth Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison

Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that David Lee Fullmer, 61, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice imposed a sentence of 60 months imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release.

According to court documents and information disclosed at sentencing, in November of 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened an investigation into a supplier of methamphetamine and fentanyl laced pills that was operating in the Eastern District of Washington. The investigation ultimately identified this source of supply as David Velasquez. During the investigation, agents reviewed records and linked Velasquez with an address in Phoenix, Arizona. Investigators also learned Velasquez made regular cell phone contact with Fullmer.

In July of 2023, agents learned that Fullmer and Velasquez appeared to have arranged two separate meetings near Brigham City, Utah. 

On August 10, 2023, agents learned Fullmer had rented a Dodge Ram van in downtown Spokane. Later that day, Fullmer’s phone location was observed traveling eastbound on I-90 leaving Washington. Also that day, Velasquez’s phone was observed leaving Phoenix and heading north. On August 11, FBI special agents observed Velasquez and Fullmer meet at a location in Blackfoot, Idaho. Agents observed Velasquez get an object from the rear passenger door of his vehicle and walk to the front passenger door of Fullmer’s truck. After speaking briefly, the two drove off in different directions.

On August 12, 2023, Fullmer, driving the rented Dodge Ram, returned to Washington on I-90 and entered the watercraft inspection station in Spokane County. A Washington State Patrol Trooper initiated a vehicle stop and detained Fullmer. Agents executed a search warrant on the Dodge Ram and seized a black backpack from the front passenger seat. Inside the backpack was a stolen 9mm pistol, a box of ammunition, a package filled with approximately 18,000 multi-colored fentanyl pills, and two cell phones that had text messages about drug distribution.  

Agents also executed a search warrant at Fullmer’s home in Spokane. Agents seized multiple small plastic baggies containing a total of 1,000 multi-colored fentanyl pills, two small digital scales, a shotgun, a .22 caliber rifle, and ammunition.

Velasquez was arrested in Iowa and is currently facing separate drug trafficking charges.

“Fentanyl poisons our neighbors, harms our friends and family, and attracts violence that plagues our community, Mr. Fullmer furthered the damage of the opioid epidemic by transporting tens of thousands of fentanyl pills into Spokane,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we will ensure that those who engage in drug trafficking are brought to justice to keep our community safe.”.

“Mr. Fullmer was putting countless lives at risk each time he facilitated the distribution of these drugs into our community.” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “This sentencing shows the unwavering commitment by the FBI and our law enforcement partners to remove traffickers who conspire to distribute harmful drugs in our communities. We will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in narcotics trafficking to safeguard Washington’s streets and communities.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Cashman.