A Washington man, previously granted clemency by former Democratic Governor Jay Inslee in 2019, has been arrested on multiple drug and weapons charges. Percy Levy, 54, was taken into custody on Thursday during a traffic stop in Everett, concluding a 16-month investigation led by the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, according to the Lynnwood Times.
A subsequent search of Levy’s residence uncovered a significant cache of drugs, including 556 grams of fentanyl—an amount the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimates is enough to cause approximately 278,000 fatal overdoses.
Authorities seize large quantities of fentanyl and firearms
Following his arrest, detectives served a search warrant at Levy’s home, where they uncovered:
- 2,818 grams of powder cocaine
- 14.7 grams of rock cocaine
- 556 grams of fentanyl
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), just 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal. The amount seized from Levy’s residence was enough to kill approximately 278,000 people.
Detectives also found packaging materials, a digital scale, and a handgun inside the home.
Levy was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
Levy’s past clemency and criminal history
Levy was charged with 11 Class B felony counts, according to online inmate records from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Bureau. He is currently being held on a $1.5 million bond.
Former Gov. Jay Inslee granted Levy clemency in 2019, as confirmed by a document from the state Clemency and Pardons Board.
Levy’s criminal history dates back to when he was 13 years old, according to the Lynnwood Times. He spent 17 years in prison following a 2002 conviction for a drug house robbery.
Levy’s post-clemency activities and ties to criminal justice reform
Inslee’s 2019 decision to grant Levy clemency came in light of the 2021 State v. Blake ruling, which reclassified drug possession as a misdemeanor, the paper reported.
Following his release, Levy worked in criminal justice reform. According to the Lynnwood Times, he served as a community outreach specialist for the Washington Defender Association and founded Redemption Auto, a car dealership in Everett. He also served as treasurer on the board of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County.
The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation remains active.