Two East Pierce County residents, who distributed fentanyl pills via the dark web, plead guilty

Tacoma - Two residents of East Pierce County, Washington, who conspired to sell fentanyl pills via a 'dark web' marketplace pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Trevor Stephen Haahr, 34, of Puyallup, Washington, and Kaeli Arielle Albert, 35, of Orting, Washington, face a sentence of up to 40 years in prison when sentenced by U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright on December 18, 2025.

According to the statements in the plea agreements, in early 2023, law enforcement began an investigation into sales of fentanyl pills on a marketplace located on the dark web. After ordering some of the pills that were labeled to appear as M30 oxycodone pills, law enforcement testing revealed they were fentanyl pills.

Through various investigative techniques, Trevor Stephen Haahr was identified as the operator of the marketplace on the dark web. In February 2024, Haahr mailed a package in Pierce County that was searched and contained more than 10,000 fentanyl pills. Surveillance of Haahr revealed multiple quick meeting with Albert where cash and drugs were exchanged.

On March 11, 2024, law enforcement executed search warrants at Haahr's residence, office, storage locker, vehicle and at Albert's home, amongst other locations. At Haahr's office he was signed on to the dark web vender profile. In his truck and storage locker investigators found drug proceeds, fentanyl pills and supplies for shipping the drugs. In Albert's residence investigators seized more than $23,000 in drug proceeds and body armor.

The defendants admit in their plea agreements that they distributed more than 100,000 fentanyl laced pills.

Law enforcement also seized bitcoin that Haahr had received in payment for the drugs. At the time it was seized the bitcoin was worth approximately $50,000. Haahr is forfeiting the bitcoin as proceeds of his drug dealing.

Prosecutors have agreed to recommend sentences at the low end of the guidelines range calculated by the court. Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances in this volume is punishable by up to 40 years in prison. Possession with intent to distribute is punishable by up to twenty years in prison. Haahr pleaded guilty to the conspiracy count and to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute. Albert pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

Judge Cartwright is not bound by the recommendations and can impose any sentence allowed by law.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brian Wynne and Casey Conzatti.