Area man sentenced to prison

AIRWAY HEIGHTS – An Airway Heights man was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison on drug charges. The announcement was made in a June 5 press release by Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

Joseph William Baker, age 28, of Airway Heights, Washington was convicted of possession with intent to distribute five grams of pure methamphetamine. The conviction stems from a traffic stop on November 22, 2021. 

“I’m grateful for the professionalism and dedication of the federal and state law enforcement team, who work together to keep our communities safe,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref in the press release. “Mr. Baker brought dangerous drugs into our community and possessed stolen firearms that put our neighborhood at risk. Today’s sentence reaffirms our Office’s commitment to prevent violence and holding individuals accountable for their crimes.”   

According to court documents, on November 22, 2021, the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Baker in the Colfax, Washington area. Upon contact with WCSO deputies, Baker appeared extremely nervous and was shaking uncontrollably according to the report.

He was unable to produce a driver’s license and advised the deputy that his driver’s license was suspended.  Baker was asked to get out of his car, and in doing so, the deputy noticed a bag of heroin on the floor of the vehicle. 

Reports show a subsequent search of Baker’s person revealed methamphetamine in his pocket as well as just over $800 in cash.  According to records, Baker admitted the money was from drug sales and told the deputy there was a loaded handgun in his car that may have been stolen. 

A state search warrant was obtained for Baker’s vehicle, and the WCSO located over 100 fentanyl-laced pills, approximately two ounces of methamphetamine, two ounces of heroin, two working digital scales with drug residue on them, and a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun. 

A record check on the firearm, and subsequent witness interviews, revealed the firearm was stolen from the Spokane area about a week prior to the traffic stop. After Baker’s federal indictment, he was released to attend drug treatment. 

After about one week in treatment, Baker left, absconded from supervision, and was a fugitive for close to seven months before being located and rearrested.  

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen said Baker had “thumb[ed] his nose at the system,” by failing to appear for his criminal cases on at least twelve separate occasions. 

“Mr. Baker received many opportunities to bring his conduct in line with the law, but repeatedly chose not to do so,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “Our communities are safer when we remove armed drug dealers from our streets for an extended period of time.”

Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers said, “I could not be more pleased with the outcome of this case and the cooperation we received from our federal partners. The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office will continue to pursue every avenue we can to keep our communities, streets and neighborhoods safe from those who intend to violate the law and traffic in dangerous and deadly narcotics.” 

edly chose not to do so,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “Our communities are safer when we remove armed drug dealers from our streets for an extended period of time.”

Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers said, “I could not be more pleased with the outcome of this case and the cooperation we received from our federal partners. The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office will continue to pursue every avenue we can to keep our communities, streets and neighborhoods safe from those who intend to violate the law and traffic in dangerous and deadly narcotics.”