An Anchorage man, Thurman Reed, 67, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking large amounts of illegal drugs and possessing a firearm in connection with his drug activities.
Court records show that between February and May 2024, Reed sold several types of narcotics including fentanyl analogue, heroin, and methamphetamine. In February 2024, he sold about six grams each of fentanyl analogue and heroin. The following month, he sold over 27 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine and later more than 49 grams of heroin. In May 2024, Reed also sold over 311 grams of methamphetamine.
Authorities from the FBI and Anchorage Police Department (APD) executed search warrants at Reed’s home and storage unit in late May 2024. They found more than 10 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, 245 grams of fentanyl, 485 grams of heroin, and 15 grams of cocaine. During the search at his residence, investigators also recovered a firearm inside a backpack along with distribution quantities of drugs and a digital scale. At the time these items were seized, Reed had seven prior felony convictions.
Reed pleaded guilty on August 14, 2025 to one count each of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
“Mr. Reed was clearly undeterred by his seven prior felony convictions and chose to stockpile and distribute large quantities of dangerous drugs in Alaska, putting our communities at significant risk,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “My office is resolute in its commitment to target and prosecute drug traffickers for the crimes that are devastating our communities.”
“Over the course of our investigation, the FBI and APD seized a stockpile of deadly drugs, including over 22 pounds of methamphetamine that this seven-time convicted felon had intended for distribution in Alaska,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Waddle of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “Now, Reed’s days of menacing our community are over. We will continue working with our partners at every level to hold drug traffickers accountable.”
“I want to thank the FBI and the Anchorage High-Intensity Drug Tracking Area (HIDTA) Unit for their steadfast dedication in the aggressive pursuit of those trafficking deadly drugs within Alaska. I also want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s office for prosecuting these cases so there is accountability for outrageous acts in our community. This case is a very clear example of our commitment to reducing the drugs in this community that have had such a devastating impact. People involved in this level of distribution should be investigated, prosecuted, and placed in jail for long periods of time so they will not continue to cause harm,” said Chief Sean Case of the Anchorage Police Department.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Anchorage Field Office and APD as part of the Anchorage High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Unit.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ainsley McNerney prosecuted this case.