Seattle youth activist is branded ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ after being linked to deadly fentanyl ring
A Seattle youth activist has been labeled a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” by federal investigators, who have linked her to a deadly fentanyl ring.
Matelita “Marty” Jackson, 49, executive director of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of the King County SE Network SafetyNet Program, made a name for herself as an anti-violence activist after a shooting at a supermarket in south Seattle last year.
Since then, she has called for alternative paths and options to keep children and young adults away from gang culture and gun violence, and is often one of the first responders at shooting sites to help de-escalate tensions. according to the Seattle Times.
But on Wednesday, Jackson was arrested on federal charges of money laundering, with federal investigators alleging that she helped her husband and her children run a large-scale fentanyl ring that distributed more than 800,000 pills in Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Montana, Georgia and Washington. .
They are specifically accused of attacking a Native American community in Washington where four people overdosed in just four days last year.
Matelita “Marty” Jackson, 49, was indicted Wednesday on federal money laundering charges
Seattle police, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and the FBI spent two years investigating the September 2023 deaths of members of the Lummi Nation. KING 5 reports.
As part of the investigation, tribal and federal partners examined the phone of one of the overdose victims and reportedly found a connection to Markell Jackson, Marty’s 21-year-old stepson, who prosecutors say was the main supplier to four known drug dealers on the border. Lummi reservation.
Prosecutors have also accused Marty’s son, Marquis, 31, of being the ringleader of the fentanyl ring. According to the Seattle Times, court documents show her husband, Mandel, 50, was the consultant.
Federal agents described how they intercepted a phone call between Mandel and Marquis before and after a deal over fentanyl pills, in which Marty could be heard in the background.
She is accused of laundering money through structured deposits by using her own account as a “conduit” between members of the drug trafficking organization.
Other family members are charged with conspiracy, including drug trafficking. Federal prosecutors say they have ties to a Seattle-area street gang.
They noted that a search of the Jackson family home turned up 850,000 fentanyl pills, nearly seven kilos of fentanyl potency, seven kilos of cocaine, 29 firearms and at least $116,000 in cash.
Jackson served as executive director of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of King County SE Network SafetyNet Program
Authorities say her family operated a large-scale fentanyl ring that distributed more than 800,000 pills in Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Montana, Georgia and Washington.
News of Marty’s arrest on Wednesday shocked city officials and residents.
The SE Network she led received funding from the Seattle Community Safety Initiative, a partnership with the city and community organizations to provide safety resources and disrupt violence.
The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of King County’s annual contract with the city is $1.185 million through the safety initiative, a spokesperson for Mayor Bruce Harrell’s Office told the Times, noting that the city’s contracts ensure and include reporting requirements to prevent financial crimes.
The mayor has since met with the Boys’ and Girls’ Club following Marty’s arrest to discuss next steps. Fox 13 reports.
Seattle Public Schools also said they have halted all plans with the SE Network SafetyNet and are waiting for more information.
Meanwhile, the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County confirmed they took “corrective action” after learning of Marty’s arrest.
“The safety and protection of the young people we serve and our dedicated staff is always our absolute top priority and we take any situation that could impact their well-being very seriously,” it said. said KOMO.
Boys and Girls’ Clubs of King County have learned of Marty Jackson’s arrest. After learning this information, our organization took corrective measures.
“We will cooperate fully with the authorities and have also launched an internal investigation to ensure the continued safety of club members and staff,” the organization said.
City officials and community members were shocked by the allegations
Marty was arraigned on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
She has no prior criminal history and is currently on bail while authorities continue to search for Markell.
Other members of the gang are now being held at the federal detention center in SeaTac.