Anchorage Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Major Drug Trafficking Operation
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Thurman Reed, 67, of Anchorage, was sentenced today to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking significant quantities of illicit narcotics and possessing a firearm during drug crimes.
The investigation,conducted by the FBI Anchorage Field Office and the Anchorage Police Department (APD) as part of the anchorage High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Unit,revealed Reed sold ample amounts of drugs between February and may 2024,including fentanyl analogue,heroin,and methamphetamine. Sales included approximately six grams of fentanyl analogue and heroin in February, over 27 grams of methamphetamine in March, over 49 grams of heroin in April, and over 311 grams of methamphetamine in May.
A subsequent search of Reed’s residence and a storage unit in late May yielded over 10 kilograms of methamphetamine,245 grams of fentanyl,485 grams of heroin,and 15 grams of cocaine. A firearm was also recovered within a backpack containing drugs and a digital scale. Reed had seven prior felony convictions at the time of the search.
Reed pleaded guilty on August 14, 2025, to one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“Mr. Reed was clearly undeterred by his seven prior felony convictions and chose to stockpile and distribute large quantities of dangerous drugs in Alaska, putting our communities at significant risk,” stated U.S. attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “My office is resolute in its commitment to target and prosecute drug traffickers for the crimes that are devastating our communities.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge brandon Waddle of the FBI Anchorage Field Office added, “Over the course of our investigation, the FBI and APD seized a stockpile of deadly drugs, including over 22 pounds of methamphetamine that this seven-time convicted felon had intended for distribution in Alaska. Now, Reed’s days of menacing our community are over. We will continue working with our partners at every level to hold drug traffickers accountable.”
Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case expressed gratitude to the FBI, HIDTA Unit, and the U.S. Attorney’s office, stating, “I want to thank the FBI and the anchorage High-Intensity Drug tracking Area (HIDTA) Unit for their steadfast dedication in the aggressive pursuit of those trafficking deadly drugs within Alaska. I also want to thank the U.S. attorney’s office for prosecuting these cases so there is accountability for outrageous acts in our community. This case is a very clear exmaple of our commitment to reducing the drugs in this community that have had such a devastating impact. People involved in this level of distribution should be investigated, prosecuted, and placed in jail for long periods of time so they will not continue to cause harm.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ainsley McNerney prosecuted the case.
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