Two Seattle area men have been sentenced to six years in prison each for their roles in a violent drug trafficking organization. The sentencing took place today in U.S. District Court in Seattle, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller.
Khaliil Ahmed, also known as “Bossup,” age 27, received a 72-month sentence for two counts of illegally possessing firearms. Yohannes Wondimagegnehu, known as “Jon,” age 36, was sentenced to 72 months for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Both will serve three years of supervised release after completing their prison terms.
U.S. District Judge John H. Chun commented on the severity of the crimes during sentencing. “These are serious offenses.” Addressing Ahmed directly, Judge Chun said, “These offenses carry a maximum of 15 years – serious stuff.”
A year-long investigation into the organization resulted in the seizure of more than 19 kilograms of fentanyl, twelve firearms, and over $130,000 in cash. In an October 2024 operation targeting the group, law enforcement seized more than fifty firearms—including fully automatic weapons and handguns with Glock switches—thousands of rounds of ammunition (including high-capacity drum magazines and armor-piercing rounds), several hundred thousand dollars in bulk cash and jewelry, one kilogram of fentanyl, and four kilograms of cocaine.
The defendants had distinct roles within the organization. Ahmed was identified as a member involved in multiple violent incidents connected to his illegal firearm possession charges. One incident occurred on August 20, 2023 at a hookah bar in South Seattle where Ahmed was injured during a fatal shooting that left three dead; another shooting involving Ahmed took place on May 4, 2024 at an apartment in First Hill where surveillance video showed him pointing a gun at the victim. Due to a previous conviction from 2022 for illegally possessing and discharging a firearm during a drive-by shooting, Ahmed is prohibited from owning firearms; law enforcement recovered two additional Glock handguns from his residence when executing search warrants.
Wondimagegnehu played another role within the conspiracy by helping staff an apartment near Seattle’s University District used for drug distribution. After one leader was fatally shot at that location in June 2024—a murder still under investigation—Wondimagegnehu continued distributing drugs there. A search warrant executed at his home on October 30, 2024 led to the discovery of eight firearms along with various narcotics and proceeds from drug sales; he also possessed a money counting machine.
A total of fourteen people were arrested as part of this investigation into the drug trafficking group; these two are the first to be sentenced. Seven others have pleaded guilty with sentencing hearings scheduled soon; one remains at large while trial for alleged leader Ali Kuyateh (“Pops”), age 50, is expected next spring.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation that targets high-level criminal organizations using intelligence-driven strategies involving multiple agencies across federal and local levels (https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF).
Homeland Security Investigations led this investigation with significant support from numerous agencies including Seattle Police Department, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, Washington State Patrol, FBI, DEA, ATF, Customs and Border Protection (both Field Operations and Air/Marine units), U.S. Border Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office, Bellevue Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service among others.
Assistant United States Attorneys Michelle Jensen and Joseph Silvio are prosecuting this case.
