Wenatchee man sentenced to 17 years in federal prison on drug trafficking, gun charges

WENATCHEE — A Wenatchee man has been sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl and illegally possessing firearms, following a federal jury conviction last summer.

Steven E. Graham, 40, was sentenced by Rebecca Pennell, a United States District Court judge, to 17 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.

According to federal prosecutors, the case grew out of a November 2023 investigation while Graham was under community custody supervision for a prior state drug conviction and had an active Department of Corrections warrant. Investigators with the Columbia River Drug Task Force identified Graham as staying at a Wenatchee motel and observed activity consistent with drug trafficking before obtaining search warrants for his room and a vehicle he was using.

When the warrants were executed on Nov. 29, 2023, investigators seized more than 7,000 fentanyl-laced pills and more than 170 grams of methamphetamine — drugs estimated to have carried a combined street value of approximately $150,000. Prosecutors said the drugs, along with four firearms and roughly $19,000 in cash, were found in luggage believed to be used to transport the illicit items.

Graham was legally prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions and was designated a “career offender” under federal sentencing guidelines, a classification that significantly increased the length of his sentence.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano said the sentence reflects the seriousness of the threat posed by drug trafficking in the region.

“Steven Graham posed a significant danger to the Wenatchee Valley, and we appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners who work to arrest and prosecute those who are introducing these deadly substances into our communities,” Serrano said.

Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller said the case highlights the importance of coordinated enforcement efforts.

“Graham’s lengthy sentence exemplifies the impact of strong law enforcement partnerships in safeguarding our communities from repeat offenders who threaten public safety by trafficking dangerous drugs and deadly weapons,” Miller said. “Through our united efforts, a significant threat has been removed.”

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Columbia River Drug Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media