Two western Washington men, including one from Ridgefield, pleaded guilty to drug and gun charges in U.S. District Court earlier this month.
Ridgefield resident Ronald McComb, 59, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and felon in possession of a firearm on June 12 in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
McComb admitted to trafficking multiple-pound quantities of heroin and tens of thousands of fentanyl pills, according to a news release from the United States Attorney’s Office. His drug network, associated with an Aryan prison gang, ran to Alaska, according to the release.
“He further admitted to possessing large quantities of heroin and a 9 mm handgun that law enforcement seized from the trunk of his vehicle following a traffic stop in February 2022,” the release stated.
McComb was eventually arrested in March last year in his Kalama residence, where authorities found methamphetamine, heroin, three firearms and cash and gold bars. In his plea, McComb admitted the cash and gold were proceeds of his drug trafficking. He was prohibited from owning any firearms due to previous assault and robbery convictions in Clark County, according to the release.
Additionally, Gregory Beers, 31, from Edgewood, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime during the same court hearing. Beers is believed to be involved in the same drug distribution organization as McComb, both being high-ranking members, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
Prosecuting and defense attorneys recommended sentences of 13 years in prison for McComb and 12.5 years for Beers. Chief Judge Estudillo, who oversees sentencing, is not bound by these agreed sentences and can impose any sentence allowed by State law according to the release.
The FBI led the investigation in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Washington State Department of Corrections. Local law enforcement agencies involved include the Tacoma Police Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office and the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force led by the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. The United States Attorney’s Office stated primary investigators received assistance from the Washington State Patrol, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine divisions, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, the Lakewood Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
