SEATTLE — The first two defendants in a five-month operation named “Operation East Watch,” which focused on gun violence in the East Hill area of Kent, were sentenced to significant prison terms, U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes announced Friday.
Tacoma man Anthony Ripley, 46, was sentenced to ten years in prison Friday for drug and gun possession crimes.
Hayes said Ripley was involved in distributing methamphetamine while carrying two firearms.
When his Tacoma home was searched in June, authorities recovered two handguns and discovered a marijuana growing operation, according to a U.S. Attorney's Office news release. Records show Ripley has multiple prior felonies, including a 1997 manslaughter conviction in Pierce County in connection with a gang shooting. He also has prior state and federal convictions for distributing cocaine.
Of the eight people arrested in the operation, seven pleaded guilty and one has a change of plea hearing scheduled this week.
Eddie Tarik Musa Bell, Jr., was sentenced Nov. 26 to four years in prison for distribution of methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Awaiting to be sentenced are:
-Allen Betts III, 40, of Kent, pleaded guilty of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm.
-Anthony Colbert, 48, of Seattle, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
-Neal Stringer, 46, of Kent and Des Moines, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
-Devon Parramore, 50 of Kent, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
-Mario Parra-Cetina, 28, of Kent, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to distribute heroin.
-Kenyon Taylor, 39, of Federal Way, is scheduled for a change of plea hearing next week. He is currently charged with three counts of distribution of methamphetamine.
“In the first half of 2018, there were 29 shots fired incidents in Kent’s East Hill neighborhood prompting law enforcement to launch a focused operation to address the problem,” said Hayes.
Cox Media Group
