Bellingham Dealer Gets 50 Months for Encampment Fentanyl Sales

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The City of Bellingham’s fentanyl crisis rages on in the Bellingham homeless encampment linked to a criminal gang, while one of its former dealers received a 50-month federal prison sentence Monday.

A federal judge sentenced Davon Malbrough, 40, on Oct. 26 in U.S. District Court in Seattle. He was convicted of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson called the offense serious, while noting that Malbrough distributed highly addictive drugs to people struggling with addiction.

“This is a very serious offense. The defendant distributed highly addictive drugs to highly addicted people.”

— U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson

Investigation Traced Drug Sales to Bellingham Encampment

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations began investigating drug and sex trafficking involving members of the Family Mafia Crips in 2023.

Investigators identified Malbrough as a member of the gang, which authorities described as profiting from controlled substance distribution and sex trafficking, with connections to illegal firearm possession and violent crime.

Court records show investigators observed Malbrough selling fentanyl powder and pills at a Bellingham homeless encampment on several days in July 2023. The encampment is still known for drug use and other criminal activity, though it has since been relocated after a costly city sweep.

On three occasions, Malbrough sold fentanyl powder and pills to a person working with law enforcement, according to court records.

A December 2023 traffic stop involving Malbrough’s Jaguar SUV led to the seizure of additional drugs and suspected drug proceeds. Investigators recovered 10 grams of pure methamphetamine, 3.5 grams of fentanyl pills, 12.6 grams of fentanyl powder, two drug scales and $1,250.

Prosecutors Cited Prior Violent Crime Conviction

A federal grand jury indicted Malbrough in October 2025 on charges of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute and two counts of distributing controlled substances.

He pleaded guilty in June 2026 to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.

Prosecutors sought a 63-month prison sentence, citing Malbrough’s criminal history and the speed with which he returned to drug trafficking after serving a previous prison term.

Malbrough left prison in late 2018 after serving nearly 150 months for first-degree assault. His supervised release ended Oct. 18, 2022.

Prosecutors told the court that Malbrough resumed selling fentanyl at a homeless encampment less than a year later and also trafficked women for profit. They argued that his rapid return to criminal activity demonstrated an increased risk to public safety.

The court imposed a 50-month sentence, 13 months less than the term prosecutors requested.

The DEA and Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Dilon and Kate Crisham prosecuted it.

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