A 26-year-old Vancouver man was arrested Tuesday on federal charges of fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution.
Gregory Clark Bolton III was arrested by FBI agents and Clark County sheriff’s deputies following an investigation into the overdose death of a 60-year-old Vancouver man in January, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman.
Bolton made a first appearance in U.S. District Court on Thursday in Seattle.
According to a probable cause statement, Bolton had been under investigation by the Clark Vancouver Regional Task Force in the summer of 2022. He was detained during a traffic stop and his vehicle was searched. Police said they found several small plastic bags containing what was later identified as methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl.
A shotgun, an AR-15 rifle and two handguns were also found in Bolton’s possession, according to the statement.
Bolton was arrested in June 2022 on suspicion of distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine, and was facing charges in Clark County Superior Court. However, Bolton failed to return to court after being released on bail.
In January, efforts to arrest Bolton increased following the fentanyl-related overdose death.
Law enforcement worked with the overdose victim’s widow and other confidential informants to trace the source of the fentanyl powder. According to court documents, cellphone data and surveillance video was obtained from the scene of the drug sale. Federal prosecutors allege the fentanyl powder was sold by Bolton.
Bolton was arrested Jan. 24 on suspicion of possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver and possession of a firearm. He was again released on bail on the condition he have no new law violations.
But according to the FBI, in April a confidential informant working with law enforcement purchased 100 pills that tested positive for fentanyl from Bolton.
Bolton was charged in federal court June 18 and arrested Tuesday. If he is found guilty, the crimes are punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI continue to investigate; additional charges may be filed, the U.S. Attorney’s office said in the press release.
