Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Sen. Keith Goehner today commended the Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force and all law-enforcement officers involved in the recent arrest of Percy Levy, whose prison sentence for robbery had been commuted by Jay Inslee, former Washington governor.

Levy, arrested March 13 in Everett, faces 11 felony charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver. Goehner, R-Dryden, serves the 39^th Legislative District, which includes part of Snohomish County. He offered this statement about the arrest:

“The task force’s dedication to keeping deadly drugs off our streets is what truly protects our communities. This arrest is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our law-enforcement agencies in combating the fentanyl epidemic across Washington.”

“The arrest of Percy Levy is deeply troubling and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by fentanyl and the consequences of misguided clemency decisions. Mr. Levy was given a second chance—his sentence was commuted by the former governor in 2019—but instead of using that opportunity to better our community, he is accused of endangering it.

“This case underscores the devastating reality of fentanyl trafficking in our state. Mr. Levy is alleged to have had over half a kilogram of fentanyl in his possession — which is enough to kill nearly 278,000 people, or nearly one-third of the population of Snohomish County. As law enforcement continues its critical work in combating the fentanyl epidemic, we must ask ourselves: How many more innocent lives could have been lost if this arrest had not been made?

“This situation is particularly frustrating because Mr. Levy was celebrated as a success story of criminal-justice reform. He was given platforms to advocate for leniency and even assisted others in reducing their sentences. It’s tragically ironic how that very system was used to return to a life of crime.

“We must hold criminals accountable. We cannot afford policies prioritizing clemency and early release over the safety of our communities. This case should serve as a wake-up call for our state leaders: public safety must come first. As legislators, we must ensure that our laws are not being manipulated by repeat offenders who pose a clear threat to society.”

For more information on Goehner’s legislative work, visit keithgoehner.src.wastateleg.org.

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