A south King County man pleaded guilty to using a firearm during a drug crime in an attempted drug robbery that turned into a fatal shooting, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.

LENNY BRIKN, JR, 19, of Federal Way, pleaded guilty today to Using a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence and Drug Trafficking Crime.  The charge carries a mandatory minimum seven year prison term.  Both prosecutors and the defense will recommend a seven year term when BRIKN is sentenced on August 1, 2014 by U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik.

“Unfortunately this case proves once again: Guns and drugs are a deadly mix,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  “The use of guns in the drug business endangers the public and will not be tolerated.”

According to the records filed in King County Superior Court as well as the indictment, David Ross, 35 of Renton, Washington, and an associate arrived at a Federal Way apartment complex to sell marijuana to two men – BRIKN and his brother, Deshawn Boykin.  Ross was armed with a gun, despite having two previous felony drug convictions that prohibit him from possessing a firearm.  BRIKN and Boykin drew “Mac 10” style semi-automatic pistols, ordered Ross and his associate to lie on the ground, and attempted to rob them of the marijuana they brought to the drug deal.  BRIKN and Boykin ultimately ran away, and Ross drew his gun and fired multiple times at the fleeing men.  Boykin was hit twice and died of his wounds at St. Francis Medical Center.

Ross is charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana, unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a mandatory minimum ten year sentence in addition to any other sentence imposed in the case.  Ross is scheduled for trial in June 2014.

The case was investigated by the Federal Way Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.