SEATTLE — A 24-year-old Seattle man was sentenced Friday to five years in federal prison for dealing crack cocaine while armed with a 3D-printed handgun, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.
They say Ishmael Malakhi Weddington received the five-year prison term in U.S. District Court after federal law enforcement officers caught him selling drugs in the city’s downtown commercial district.
Weddington pleaded guilty on Aug. 6, 2026, to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez imposed the sentence, which includes three years of supervised release following his release from prison.
According to court records, Seattle Police officers observed Weddington dealing drugs on July 28, 2025, during a targeted law enforcement operation near Second Avenue and Blanchard Street. Officers watched Weddington walking repeated laps around a single block while wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a crossbody bag. Investigators noted that his sweatshirt front pocket appeared heavily weighed down by a dense object.
They say while under police observation, a woman approached Weddington on the street. The two walked a short distance together before the woman handed him folded paper money. After checking his surroundings, Weddington reached inside his crossbody bag and handed her a small, white, rock-like substance. Officers moved in moments later and arrested Weddington shortly after the buyer departed.
When officers searched Weddington, they said they found a 9mm firearm hanging out of his sweatshirt pocket. The weapon was a “ghost gun” manufactured with a 3D printer, bearing no serial number and loaded with an extended magazine containing 27 bullets. Inside his crossbody bag and pockets, officers seized dealer-packaged cocaine base, a digital scale and cash. Weddington was subsequently charged in federal court on Aug. 7, 2025.
In sentencing memorandums filed with the court, federal prosecutors requested the five-year prison sentence due to the danger posed by armed drug distribution. Prosecutors noted that Weddington carried the loaded semi-automatic handgun specifically to further his drug trafficking enterprise, placing the surrounding community at risk of significant harm.
During the court proceeding, Judge Martinez questioned Weddington about his future behavior once he completes his sentence.
“I hope you are serious when you say you are intent on making changes for the future,” Martinez said.
Weddington addressed the court regarding his intention not to reoffend.
“It’s imperative that I never return here again,” Weddington said.
Martinez advised the defendant that words must be backed by actions.
“People can say anything they want – but they need to walk the walk,” Martinez said.
Weddington will serve three years of supervised release once he completes his federal prison term.
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