A young Seattle activist has been branded a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” by federal investigators who have linked her to a deadly fentanyl ring.
Matelita ‘Marty’ Jackson, 49, executive director of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of King County SE Network’s SafetyNet program, made a name for herself as an anti-violence activist after a shooting at a South Seattle grocery store last year.
Since then, she has called for alternative pathways and opportunities to help steer children and young adults away from gang culture and gun violence, and is often one of the first to respond to shooting scenes to help reduce tensions. . according to the Seattle Times.
But on Wednesday, Jackson was arrested on federal money laundering charges, and federal investigators said she was helping her husband and children run a large-scale fentanyl ring that distributed more than 800,000 pills in Arizona, Texas, Missouri , Montana, Georgia and Washington. .
They are specifically accused of targeting a Native American community in Washington, where four people overdosed in just four days last year.
Matelita ‘Marty’ Jackson, 49, was indicted Wednesday on federal money laundering charges.
The Seattle Police Department, the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI spent two years investigating the deaths of members of the Lummi Nation in September 2023. KING 5 reports.
As part of the investigation, tribal and federal partners examined the phone of one of the overdose victims and allegedly found a connection to Markell Jackson, Marty’s 21-year-old stepson, who prosecutors say was the main supplier for four acquaintances. drug traffickers in the Lummi Reservation.
Prosecutors also accused Marty’s son, Marquis, 31, of being the leader of the fentanyl ring and court documents say her husband, Mandel, 50, was the adviser, according to the Seattle Times.
Federal agents detailed how they intercepted a phone call between Mandel and Marquis before and after a deal involving fentanyl pills, in which Marty could be heard in the background.
She is accused of laundering money through structured deposits using her own account as a pass-through between members of the drug trafficking organization.
Other family members face conspiracy charges, including drug trafficking, and federal prosecutors say they have alleged ties to a Seattle-area street gang.
They noted that a search of the Jackson family home uncovered 850,000 fentanyl pills, nearly seven kilograms of fentanyl, seven kilograms of cocaine, 29 firearms and at least $116,000 in cash.
Jackson served as executive director of the SafetyNet program of the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County SE Network.
Authorities say his family ran a large-scale fentanyl ring that distributed more than 800,000 pills in Arizona, Texas, Missouri, Montana, Georgia and Washington.
News of Marty’s arrest Wednesday shook city officials and residents.
The SE Network he led received funding from the Seattle Community Safety Initiative, a partnership with the city and community organizations to provide safety resources and combat violence.
The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of King County’s annual contract with the city is for $1.185 million through the safety initiative, a spokesperson for Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office told the Times, noting that city contracts They have safeguards and reporting requirements to prevent financial misconduct.
The mayor has since met with the Boys’ and Girls’ Club following Marty’s arrest to discuss next steps. Fox 13 reports.
Seattle Public Schools has also said it has suspended any plans with SE Network SafetyNet and is awaiting more information.
Meanwhile, the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of King County confirmed they took “corrective action” after learning of Marty’s arrest.
“The safety and security of the young people we serve and our dedicated staff is always our top priority and we take any situation that may impact their well-being very seriously,” he said. he told KOMO.
‘Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of King County has learned of the arrest of Marty Jackson. Upon learning of this information, our organization has taken corrective action.
“We will fully cooperate with the authorities and have also initiated an internal investigation to ensure the continued safety of the Club’s members and staff,” the organization concluded.
City officials and community members were baffled by the allegations.
Marty was arraigned Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He has no criminal record and is currently free on bail as authorities continue to search for Markell.
Other members of the gang are now being held at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac.
