Seattle activist with ties to Boys & Girls Clubs indicted in fentanyl trafficking ring

SEATTLE — A well-known Seattle activist is accused of being part of a multi-state fentanyl trafficking ring.

The Department of Justice indicted Marty Jackson for money laundering. Other members of her family were indicted on drug trafficking charges.

The Seattle Times reports the woman is the same Marty Jackson who was Executive Director of SE Network SafetyNet, which is part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County.

We contacted the organization, which issued the following statement:

The safety and protection of the young people we serve, and our dedicated staff is always our absolute highest priority, and we take any situation that might impact their well-being very seriously. Boys & Girls Clubs of King County has learned of the arrest of Marty Jackson. Upon learning this information, our organization has taken corrective action. We will cooperate fully with authorities and have also launched an internal investigation to ensure the ongoing safety of Club members and staff.

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County is committed to the highest standards of ethical behavior and integrity and does not tolerate inappropriate or illegal activity on the part of any staff member, volunteer, or youth member. All employees must undergo a thorough criminal background check prior to hire and annually, and all supervisory procedures are designed to ensure the maximum safety and protection of Club members and staff.

As this is an active investigation, we are unable to offer further comment. Our commitment to our Club members, their families, and our community is unwavering.

We interviewed Jackson before as she talked about preventing gun violence during a press conference last August.

Court documents connected 14 people to the drug ring, which investigators say targeted tribal communities. Authorities say the ring distributed massive quantities of fentanyl to members of the Lummi Nation and other reservations.

“This callous drug trafficking organization stands accused of distributing quantities of fentanyl great enough to potentially kill nearly a million people. Which would fill Lumen Field more than 15 times over,” David Reames with the DEA in Seattle said.

Agents also confiscated 29 guns and at least $116,000 in cash.

Ten other people are in custody in the case.

Investigators are still searching for suspect Markell Jackson.

Marty Jackson was released on bond.

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