‘Prolific armed drug trafficker’ can stay at home ahead of trial, judge rules

SEATTLE — A man who federal prosecutors in Seattle describe as a “prolific armed drug trafficker” will be able to stay at home while his case is resolved, a judge ordered Thursday afternoon.

Michael Janisch, 25, is facing a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years for federal drug and weapons charges.

In court Thursday afternoon, U.S. Magistrate Judge Paula L. McCandlis ordered Janisch to be eligible for home detention with conditions that include active GPS monitoring, restrictions on internet usage, and no contact with witnesses or co-defendants in the case.

Janisch was arrested during a series of coordinated raids last week as part of a Department of Homeland Security investigation into drug trafficking and violent crime in Seattle.

McCandlis’ decision came at the behest of Janisch’s attorneys who claim Janisch is accused of being a “minor player in a large drug trafficking organization.”

“Nothing suggests that Mr. Janisch was a manager, organizer, or leader of this operation,” Janisch’s attorney, Matthew Diggs, wrote in a detention memorandum.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, however, alleges Janisch was a prolific drug dealer and had an “arsenal” of weapons inside his Mercer Island home when he was arrested.

“It is apparent that Janisch operated as an armed drug trafficker for years,” Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Silvio wrote in a detention memo.

Silvio expressed concern in court about Snapchat messages between Janisch and a drug distributor that prosecutors allege carrying out a “hit.”

Prosecutors cite the exchange in court filings, alleging Janisch said: ” [Redacted address] … close to the freeway too. Easy to hit real quick n speed out. 2 freeways easy access to both sides … hit it wit 2 cars no one will know what happen.”

“Though the above message thread speaks for itself, it appears that in the exchange with the user of Snapchat Account 5, Janisch intends to hire someone to conduct a “hit” on one of his former distributors,” Silvio wrote.

Prosecutors further allege Janisch used his Snapchat account to post advertisements for untraceable firearms known as “ghost guns.” Investigators also recovered devices known as “Glock switches” in Janisch’s home. The small devices convert semi-automatic handguns into machine guns and are prohibited under federal firearms law.

Court filings allege Janisch’s bedroom was full of weapons, drugs, and cash.

“Another room in the house appeared to be an ‘office’ dedicated to the preparation of controlled substances for shipment, as it contained a desk with printer (presumably for postage), a vacuum-sealer and vacuum-seal bags, USPS mailers and other envelopes, and a digital scale,” Silvio’s memo states.

Investigators found $178,000 in cash, as well as coins and precious metals, the report states.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents allege Janisch was an associate of two other drug traffickers, Bryce Hill and Amir Osman. Hill was arrested and indicted as part of a drug trafficking conspiracy case last year, and Osman was shot and killed outside a known drug house in Seattle’s University District over the summer.

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“These defendants were prolific fentanyl dealers who were frequently armed when guarding their stash or distributing their drugs,” U.S. Attorney Gorman said at a press conference last week. “The danger to the community cannot be overstated in this case. The leader of the drug crew was gunned down last summer – right in front of one of the U District locations where members of the crew distributed their poison and continued to do so, following the deadly shooting.”

In addition to Osman’s death, prosecutors have linked the organization to a 2023 mass shooting at a hookah lounge in Seattle.

Khalil Ahmed, 26, of Kent, faces murder charges in King County for the hookah lounge shooting in addition to federal charges filed last week after the HSI raids.

Other individuals facing federal criminal charges related to this trafficking operation include:

• Anteneh Tesfaye, 39, of Edmonds
• Ali Kuyateh, 49, of Seattle
• Cooper Sherman, 27, of Seattle
• Alvin Whiteside, 51, of Federal Way
• Muhamed Ceesay, 27, of Lynnwood
• Lamin Saho, 38, of Everett
• Oche Poston, 31, of Everett
• Jaquan Means, 45, of Bellevue
• Dominque Sanders, 34, of Everett
• Patrick Smith, 27, of Edmonds
• Matthew Robinson, 37, of Everett
• Yohannes Wondimagegnehu, 35, of Seattle

If convicted, Janisch faces up to 40 years in federal prison.