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News Release [print friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2008
Contact: Jodie Underwood
Number: (206) 553-1162

Violent Felon Sentenced to Ten Years for Drug Trafficking
Pierce County Man Awaiting Retrial on Murder Charges when Arrested

OCT 28 -- (Seattle) – DEA Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Arnold R. Moorin and the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington, Jeffrey Sullivan, announced that on October 24, 2008, Larry Edward Tarrer II, of Tacoma, Washington was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute MDMA, possession of MDMA with intent to distribute, possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

According to records filed in the case, on May 22, 2007, Tarrer assisted with the delivery of 900 pills of MDMA, also known as Ecstasy. Tarrer agreed to supply 2,000 additional pills and was arrested while meeting with his source of supply, Ronald Lee Banks. Tarrer initially refused to get out of the car, struggled with police and was subsequently arrested. A search of Tarrer’s car turned up cocaine, crack cocaine, scales, baggies and more than $8,000 in cash. A search of Tarrer’s girlfriend’s car turned up a loaded handgun, ammunition, cocaine, and an electronic scale.

Seventeen years ago Tarrer was convicted of second degree murder and first degree assault, but those convictions were overturned by the Washington State Supreme court ruling in State v. Andruss, related to the felony murder rule. Those charges are pending retrial in Pierce County Superior Court.

Ronald Lee Banks was sentenced September 2, 2008, to 80 months in prison.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration-Tahoma Narcotics Enforcement Team.

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