Matelita “Marty” Jackson, a school safety advocate from Seattle, has been arrested for allegedly heading a nationwide fentanyl distribution network while managing a youth nonprofit funded by taxpayer dollars. Jackson, 49, and her family are at the center of a major federal case involving drug trafficking and money laundering.
Prosecutors claim that Jackson, along with 16 co-conspirators, distributed 800,000 fentanyl pills across several states. The operation has been linked to at least four overdose deaths. Jackson’s sons are accused of leading the drug ring, while she allegedly laundered the profits.
Jackson rose to prominence as an activist following a shooting in Seattle, which led to her nonprofit, SE Network SafetyNet, receiving local government support. The program, affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County, has been suspended in the wake of her arrest. The mayor of Seattle has not indicated what actions the city will take in response.
In addition to the drug charges, the investigation resulted in the seizure of seven kilograms of cocaine, 29 firearms, and over $116,000 in cash. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has linked Jackson’s family to a local street gang, deepening concerns over the reach of the fentanyl trade.