Pierce County man convicted of drug and weapons charges – KIRO 7 News Seattle

SEATTLE – A 46-year-old Pierce County man was sentenced to seven years in prison in U.S. District Court in Seattle for repeated drug trafficking and weapons possession, U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced.

Ryan James Townsend was charged in November 2023 after he had two encounters with police, Gorman said. At sentencing, U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik imposed four years of post-sentence probation.

According to documents filed in the case, Townsend was investigated by police in November 2022 for an incident in which he fired several shots into the air outside a Planet Fitness gym on East 72nd Street in Tacoma. Witnesses and surveillance video showed Townsend in a white Escalade firing a handgun into the air. Townsend was later found unconscious behind the wheel of the car at a gas station. A 9mm handgun was found in the car. Townsend was prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous convictions, Gorman said.

Gorman said in August 2023, a Puyallup police officer attempted to pull Townsend over while he was driving another car without license plates. Townsend fled in the car, ramming and damaging another vehicle and injuring the driver. Eventually, Townsend crashed. He attempted to flee from police who arrived at the scene.

When the car was searched, methamphetamine was found, as well as a handgun in the glove compartment. When a search warrant was executed for Townsend's apartment, officers seized fentanyl pills, heroin and three firearms, Gorman said.

In June 2024, Townsend pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to resell and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

In his request for the seven-year sentence, Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Conzatti wrote to the court: “On several occasions, Mr. Townsend continued to possess firearms despite knowing he was not allowed to do so. On one occasion, Mr. Townsend was observed firing a weapon in the air, endangering civilians. After his arrest for this conduct, Mr. Townsend did not cease his criminal behavior. Less than a year later, Mr. Townsend was found in possession of a second firearm, and this time he was carrying drugs.”

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