A federal felon who dealt prescription drugs and possessed a gun while on supervised release was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to eight years in prison and six months of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.

Edward Woodruff, aka “Pretty Eddie,” –, was arrested in September 2012 following an investigation by the South Sound Gang Task Force.  The investigation revealed Woodruff was selling large quantities of oxycodone pills, and that he possessed a firearm.  Woodruff has both state and federal convictions which prohibit him from possessing guns.  U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton imposed the sentence.

According to records filed in the case, in July 2012 a person working with law enforcement purchased 100 oxycodone pills from Woodruff.  In September 2012, court authorized search warrants were executed at a storage locker, Woodruff’s residence in Spanaway, an apartment he leased in Lakewood, and another apartment (of a relative) that he frequented in Tacoma.  In the storage locker, law enforcement found a Mercedes Benz that Woodruff had been seen driving in connection with drug dealing.  In the car, inside a shopping bag, was over $40,000 cash.

In a plastic storage bin next to the car, police found a .45 caliber MasterPiece Arms semi-automatic pistol and over 100 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition.  Forensic analysis revealed Woodruff’s fingerprint on the extended magazine of the gun.  Additional cash, about 57 oxycodone pills and some marijuana, were found inside a safe in the Lakewood apartment.  A bag containing approximately 1200 oxycodone pills was found hidden in a couch at the Tacoma apartment.

Woodruff has prior convictions in state court for drug distribution (1997) and assault (2002).  He has federal convictions for Felon in Possession of a Firearm (two counts) and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (2007).  Woodruff was on supervised release on those federal convictions when these drug and gun crimes occurred.

The case was investigated by the South Sound Gang Task Force.  The SSGTF is composed of members of the FBI Seattle Division (Tacoma Resident Agency), Lakewood and Tacoma Police Departments, the Washington State Patrol, the Washington State Department of Corrections, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Gregory A. Gruber.