High-profile activist from Seattle involved in large-scale fentanyl operation

When the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) infiltrated and dismantled a major fentanyl ring in Renton, the department discovered that it was run by a single family, including a high-profile, well-known activist from the Seattle area.

Seventeen people involved in the drug operation were arrested, including five members of the Jackson family, Mandel, Marquis, Miracle, Markell and Matelita – the executive director of SE Network SafetyNet, a community group that is part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of King District. Matelita, also known as Marty, often led the charge for restorative justice and other avenues to keep kids away from gangs and gun violence, especially in the South Seattle area.

Mandel, 50, is Matelita’s husband. Marquis, 31, and Miracle, 22, are Matelita and Mandel’s two children, and Markell, 21, is Matelita’s stepchild. The family faces multiple conspiracy charges, including drug trafficking and money laundering. There are also alleged ties to a street gang in the Seattle area, according to The Seattle Times.

“She is accused of money laundering through regular deposits and of using her account as an intermediary between members of the drug trafficking organization,” said Ursula Reutin, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show,” on KIRO Newsradio. “Her son, Marquis, was the alleged leader of this drug gang and her husband, Mandel, was the advisor who allegedly kept weapons and drugs.”

Previous reporting on this drug ring: Law enforcement busts major Renton family drug ring that targeted Native Americans

During the course of this investigation, police successfully seized more than 846,000 fentanyl pills, six kilos of fentanyl powder, seven kilos of cocaine, 29 firearms and more than $100,000 in cash.

“Years ago in the early 2000s, I knew the Jackson family very well,” said Gee Scott, co-host of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio. “So much so that I knew Marty very well. I knew Mandel very well. Marquis, the son, I actually coached him, so I spent a lot of time with this family. Was I surprised? Of course. I mean, you wouldn’t think something like that. And I think the biggest surprise is that this is literally from a show. For all the TV lovers out there: this is ‘Ozark.’ This is exactly what the Byrde family is. This is something that, no, I don’t think any of us can expect this. Marty, like I said, I’ve known about it for a long time. I haven’t seen them in years, but I’m shocked at the responsibility they had in the community.”

The group acquired bulk fentanyl in Arizona and distributed it throughout the U.S., primarily Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Montana, Georgia and Washington, according to FBI Special Agent in Charge Rick Collodi.

The family “clearly” targeted Native American communities and tribes in Washington and Montana, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Tessa Gorman said after the arrests. The ring is believed to be linked to fatal overdoses on the Lummi Nation reservation, located in Whatcom County. Last year, four people on the reservation died from fentanyl overdoses within a four-day period.

“The day before this news broke, they had just accepted a check for the organization’s Safe Passages, which they’re part of in helping to fund restorative justice outreach and all that kind of stuff,” Gee added. “So when this kind of news happens, the absolute reputation of the organization is damaged. It is damaged by what we say. It was damaged by the FBI’s filing of this case. There will now be a loss of confidence.”

More from Gee and Ursula: What does it take to get fired as a police officer on Mercer Island?

The two-year undercover operation involved the DOJ, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the Seattle Police Department (SPD), along with the Lummi Nation Police Department in Whatcom County.

“My heart is broken because there are a lot of people who will feel the impact of this,” Gee said. “Not only that family, but also people connected to this organization, because there is still work to be done, and the job is to look after these young people here and try to make sure they are on the right track . So no matter what happens, every day that job has to get done, and now we have a huge break.”

Markell Jackson is a fugitive still wanted by police. Within the family, Matelita Jackson and Miracle Patu Jackson were released on bail. Matelita has no criminal history, according to charging documents.

Listen to Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin weekday mornings starting at 9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Frank Sumrall is content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read his stories here and you can email him here.