Washington State Defense Attorney Facing Federal Charges for Smuggling Drugs into Correctional Facility

SEATTLE-A Washington State defense attorney was arraigned in federal court Monday after he was indicted for joining a criminal conspiracy to smuggle drugs into the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF), a jail located in Seattle, during client visits.

John M. Sheeran, 60, of Pierce County, Washington has been charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances, possessing and distributing methamphetamine, distributing buprenorphine, and illegally using a communication facility.

According to the indictment, Sheeran used his status as an attorney to smuggle controlled substances, including methamphetamine, ketamine, buprenorphine, and THC, to two of his then- clients and inmates at KCCF during legal visits. During the conspiracy, Sheeran distributed, or possessed with an intent to distribute, sheets of paper that had been soaked in drugs, chewing tobacco cans that swapped out the tobacco with drugs, and trial clothes that had drugs concealed in the soles of the shoes. After Sheeran successfully smuggled the drugs into KCCF, Sheeran's co-conspirators sold the drugs to other inmates for significant sums.

On October 16, 2024, a federal grand jury in Seattle returned an indictment charging Sheeran and four co-conspirators. Sheeran was arrested Monday without incident in Washington Place, Washington.

Sheeran made his initial appearance in federal court Monday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Seattle. He was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and ordered released pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on December 20, 2024.

If convicted, Sheeran faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, a minimum of three years' supervised release, and a fine up to $1 million.

The case was investigated by the FBI and King County Sheriff's Office. It is being prosecuted by Robert S. Trisotto, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, acting as Special Attorney for the Western District of Washington.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.