Repeat Offender Sentenced To 180 Months In Prison For Drug Trafficking

Spokane, Washington - First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on May 20, 2026, United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Robert Joseph McNabb, age 35, to 180 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to trafficking significant amounts of fentanyl while on federal supervision.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Spokane Police Department identified a Mexico-based distribution network operating in the greater Spokane area. Through surveillance and vehicle tracking data, they identified a particular residence in Spokane Valley as a location where couriers for this organization would drop off large quantities of controlled substances for further distribution into the community. Messages located on a cell phone for one of the couriers identified Robert McNabb as the recipient of the drugs at that residence. The messages further indicated McNabb had just received approximately ½ kilogram of fentanyl powder in exchange for $18,000.

Investigators also learned of an active arrest warrant for McNabb's multiple violations of his federal supervised release conditions. McNabb was previously convicted of distribution of methamphetamine in 2019 and served a 5-year federal sentence. He was released onto federal supervision in March of 2023 and, based upon this investigation, quickly returned to trafficking drugs.

On October 7, 2025, a search warrant was executed on residence where McNabb was living in the basement with a 16-year-old female, who later advised that she was McNabb's girlfriend; she also advised that they used drugs together. In their shared bedroom, under the bed, law enforcement located approximately 450 grams (just short of ½ kilogram) of pressed fentanyl powder, a scale, and unused baggies to package the fentanyl. In a backpack on one side of the bed, law enforcement located a loaded firearm, U.S. Currency, and a wallet containing McNabb's identification. On the other side of the bed, law enforcement located a pink backpack that contained high school paperwork.

First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano said, "Our office takes peddling fentanyl and recidivism seriously. While some in the criminal justice system seize the opportunity to better their lives after serving their sentence, others, like McNabb, do not. McNabb is a repeat offender, who, while under court supervision, continued to traffic poison to our community - he also preyed on a child. This child should have never been exposed to an offender like McNabb, nor to the poison he peddled. McNabb, as a convicted felon, should never have possessed a firearm, but he did, exposing it and fentanyl to this child. My office will prosecute repeat offenders, especially dangerous ones like McNabb, and we will seek sentences that protect our community."

"Robert McNabb showed a blatant disregard for the law and for the safety of our community when he continued trafficking dangerous amounts of fentanyl even while under federal supervision," said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. "This sentence reflects DEA's commitment to hold repeat offenders accountable and protect Americans from the deadly threat of fentanyl. Through Fentanyl Free America, we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt drug trafficking networks and save lives."

"This case is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal law enforcement work together with a shared commitment to protecting our community. I am proud to recognize the exceptional work of the Spokane Police Department detectives and our law enforcement partners, whose persistence, professionalism, and attention to detail helped dismantle a dangerous drug trafficking operation and remove a significant amount of fentanyl from our streets. Their dedication and the collaboration with the USAO continue to make Spokane a safer place for everyone."

For additional information, please contact the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington.

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