Nicholas Adams, a 37-year-old resident of Spokane, Washington, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for operating a commercial pill press operation from his home in the Hillyard neighborhood. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice, as announced by First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano.
Court records and statements made during sentencing revealed that Adams and co-defendant Timothy Maddox acquired a commercial pill press from China and set up an illicit manufacturing site in Adams’ basement. There, they mixed fentanyl powder with cutting agents to produce counterfeit fentanyl pills intended for widespread distribution.
In November 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at several locations connected to the operation. Authorities recovered large quantities of fentanyl powder, cutting agents, pill press components, firearms, and an operational pill press. Due to hazardous contamination caused by the lab’s activities, the Department of Ecology assisted during the searches.
The Drug Enforcement Administration determined that the seized fentanyl powder could have produced over two million pills containing potentially lethal doses—enough to kill the population of Spokane County nearly four times over.
Investigators also found significant amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, MDMA, and marijuana at the residences linked to Adams and Maddox. Both men were found with multiple loaded firearms; Maddox possessed a modified firearm capable of fully automatic fire and body armor.
Adams had previous encounters with law enforcement dating back to 2012 involving violence and substance abuse. Despite court interventions and opportunities for drug treatment—including being released from custody for inpatient care—he continued using drugs until he was returned to custody following his arrest for this case.
“Stopping the production and flow of fentanyl into our communities is one of the most challenging crises we face as law enforcement. This is a matter of importance as it will protect public health. This investigation and prosecution provide a tremendous example of the collaborative approach we take to fighting this serious and ever-increasing threat to our communities,” said First Assistant Serrano. “The volume of fentanyl that this investigation took off the street is truly staggering. I cannot overstate the impact our team made here, by identifying a repeat criminal who was manufacturing vast quantities of this deadly drug while heavily armed. Removing him for decades will protect this community in ways seen and unseen. We want the public to know that these threats exist and that our team is working tirelessly to combat them wherever and whenever they appear.”
“This 20-year sentence advances DEA’s unwavering commitment to a Fentanyl Free America,” said Robert A. Saccone, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “By possessing massive amounts of fentanyl powder and operating a commercial pill press capable of producing more than two million potentially lethal fentanyl pills, the defendant was directly placing lives in Spokane County at risk. Fentanyl Free America is our nationwide effort to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain, reduce its availability, and save American lives through relentless enforcement, education, increased public awareness, and strong strategic partnerships. Together, we will continue working to Make America Fentanyl Free.”
“HSI Seattle and its partners have removed a major public safety threat by securing decades long sentences for both defendants in one of Eastern Washington’s largest fentanyl pill manufacturing cases,” said HSI Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “With both Adams and his co-conspirator Maddox now behind bars, HSI has safeguarded the community and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the American people. By shutting down their makeshift lab in a residential community, HSI helped eliminate an operation capable of producing over two million deadly pills—saving countless lives and protecting families from harm.”
“I am very pleased with news of the successful investigation, prosecution, and conviction of the people in this case.” Said Sheriff Nowels. “Those convicted clearly presented a danger to our entire region as they made the decision to flood our community with Fentanyl and other lethal drugs. This case highlights the importance of unwavering relationships and cooperation between local law enforcement and all our federal partners to bring justice and safety to Spokane and surrounding communities.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement & Narcotics (RAVEN) Task Force, and Spokane Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin Baunsgard prosecuted the case.
