Latest news with #PercyLevy
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans are fighting fentanyl in Washington. Democrats won't advance our bills
The ongoing fentanyl crisis in our state is a tragedy that continues to devastate our communities, with no decisive action from the state Legislature's majority-party leaders to curb its deadly spread. Pierce County has been especially affected by this neglect by state leaders. In 2017, the county documented the fatal fentanyl overdoses of two individuals 21 and younger. By 2022, this number had risen to 19 cases. According to the Tacoma-Pierce Department of Health, more than 800 Pierce County lives were lost to overdoses between January 2021 and June 2023. Overdose is now the most common cause of preventable adult deaths in Pierce County. It outnumbers motor-vehicle collisions and firearms. Local overdose deaths are growing most quickly among people ages 18-24. Time and again, we have witnessed the catastrophic consequences of this epidemic, and yet, instead of responding with strong, decisive action, the Democrat majority in the Legislature has missed critical opportunities to get tough on those who spread this poison. The fentanyl crisis is not just a problem for Seattle or Tacoma but rather for the entire state. We are seeing its deadly consequences unfold in real time. One horrifying example is the recent arrest of Percy Levy, who is accused of being in possession of enough fentanyl to kill 278,000 people — or about one-third of Snohomish County. What makes this case all the more alarming is that Levy was granted clemency by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2019 after serving 17 years in prison for robbing a drug house, and he had been celebrated as a prison-rehabilitation success story. This incident raises serious concerns about whether the state is truly prioritizing public safety and protecting our communities or if state elected officials are playing a dangerous game of identity politics and anti-law and order pandering that will endanger the lives of innocent people. We must put the political agendas aside and focus on cracking down on this deadly drug. Fentanyl has made Washington a national leader in drug-overdose deaths. In 2023 alone, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency removed 4.8 million lethal doses of fentanyl from our state. Meanwhile, 1,067 people died from fentanyl-related overdoses in King County alone, marking a staggering 47% increase in death rates compared to the year before. These statistics speak for themselves: the current approach is failing, and without swift intervention, the crisis will continue to spiral out of control. To address this, I introduced Senate Bill 5213, which would make it a class C felony to knowingly possess fentanyl, instead of a gross misdemeanor under current law. This would send a clear message that we will no longer tolerate the presence and distribution of this lethal drug on our streets, and we are willing to back it up with tough prison sentences. Republican Rep. Jim Walsh also introduced House Bill 1000, which sought to impose tougher sentences on those involved in the illegal delivery and distribution of fentanyl, as well as the precursor chemicals used to manufacture it. This bill, like mine, underscores the point that those who are creating this crisis ought to be held accountable for it. Unfortunately, majority Democrats in the House and Senate refused to act on either bill, which reflects their distaste for measures that get tough on crime. The only fentanyl legislation that appeared to be advancing this session (Senate Bill 5071) would specifically add fentanyl to the law prohibiting endangerment with a controlled substance. Even that common-sense measure, which passed the Senate, is in doubt in the House of Representatives, where it is yet to receive a hearing. It is incredibly disheartening to see such proposals fail to receive the support they deserve. These bills would provide the necessary framework for a crackdown on fentanyl, offering not just tougher sentences but a clear path to reducing the flow of this devastating drug into our communities. The continued failure to act is not just an oversight, but a missed opportunity to protect the people of our state. Quite bluntly, it is a dereliction of the Legislature's duty. It's time for the majority party in this state to prioritize the safety of our citizens and take a stronger stance against the rapidly spreading fentanyl epidemic. Representative Walsh and I will continue to fight for policies aimed at tackling this issue head-on, but how much longer must we wait for action when there are lives at stake and a majority party that continues to look the other way? Sen. Jim McCune represents the 2nd Legislative District, which includes parts of Pierce and Thurston counties.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
Everett, WA man granted clemency in 2019 arrested on gun, drug charges
The Brief An Everett man who was previously granted clemency by Governor Jay Inslee in 2019 is now charged with multiple gun and drug offenses. Percy Levy, 54, had his bail maintained at $1.5 million on Monday. EVERETT, Wash. - An Everett man who was previously granted clemency by Governor Jay Inslee in 2019 was recently arrested on multiple gun and drug charges. What we know Percy Levy, 54, was taken into custody on Thursday, March 13, following a 16-month investigation by the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force. Upon a search of Levy's home, detectives say they discovered and recovered 2,818 grams of powder cocaine, 14.7 grams of rock cocaine, and 556 grams of fentanyl. They also seized packaging material, a digital scale and a handgun, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office. Levy was booked into jail for unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. His bail was set and maintained at $1.5 million. He is now facing 10 separate charges. The backstory Back in 2019, Levy was granted executive clemency by former Washington Governor Jay Inslee and released from prison after nearly 20 years behind bars. Levy also worked as a Community Outreach Specialist for the Washington Defender Association. The Source Information in this story is from the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, the Washington Defender Association, a post from Percy Levy on the Redemption Project of Washington website, and a public Facebook post from Percy Levy and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Seattle radio legend Bob Rivers dies at 68 after cancer battle Missing Oregon toddler found dead in Siletz River, authorities confirm Father 'deeply concerned' for British cartoonist locked up at Tacoma ICE detention enter Fire destroys, damages multiple Cybertrucks in Seattle lot Bryan Kohberger defense ramps up legal maneuvers in bid to keep Idaho murders suspect off death row To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-convict-turned-community leader arrested for possessing enough fentanyl to kill 278,000 people
This story was originally published on A man was arrested on 11 felony charges on March 14 after a traffic stop along 75th Street Southeast in Everett. The suspect was identified as Percy Levy, 54, according to Snohomish County Jail documents obtained by The Lynnwood Times — a man who previously served approximately 20 years behind bars before working in criminal justice reform after he was granted executive clemency by Governor Jay Inslee in 2019. Levy was working as a community outreach specialist for the Washington Defender Association (WDA) and was on the Board of the Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County chapter as Treasurer. Additionally, he founded the Everett-based automobile vendor known as Redemption Auto. 'Percy's personal journey of redemption is mirrored in the ethos of Redemption Auto,' Levy's bio on Redemption Auto read. 'Each car represents resilience, second chances, and the transformative power of embarking on a new path.' More on MyNorthwest: Three people killed in wrong-way crash on I-5 in South Thurston County According to The Lynnwood Times, the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force led a 16-month-long investigation into Levy before his arrest last week. Officials who were a part of the investigation found 2,818 grams of powder cocaine, 14.7 grams of rock cocaine, and 556 grams of fentanyl within Levy's residence. They also recovered a pistol, packaging material, and a digital scale — signifying intent to distribute, according to the investigation. The 556 grams of fentanyl recovered is enough to kill approximately 278,000 people — one-third of Snohomish County's population — according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Levy faces two felony charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, one felony charge of possession of a stolen firearm, and eight separate counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. More on MyNorthwest: 5-year-old found dead in bed, child was sleeping with a parent He spent 17 years in jail after attempting a robbery of a 'drug house' before he was granted executive clemency by Inslee in 2019 — who made the verdict in response to the 2021 State v. Blake decision, which ruled possession of controlled substances was to be reclassified as a misdemeanor. Levy is currently being held on a $1.5 million bond.
