Homeland Security Investigations into Portland area fentanyl trafficking discovered that Blomdahl was a fentanyl dealer in 2021
Tom Joyce
The Center Square
Levi Joseph Blomdahl, 38, of Vancouver, received a seven-year federal prison sentence and five years of supervised release this week for distributing fentanyl and aiding and abetting the armed robbery of a 14-year-old.
Homeland Security Investigations into Portland area fentanyl trafficking discovered that Blomdahl was a fentanyl dealer in 2021, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon’s office.
Blomdahl was the victim of a drug-related robbery and shooting on Hayden Island in Portland, Oregon, in September 2021. He exchanged gunfire with the robber and was hurt.
The robber, Anthony Pastorino, 44, also of Vancouver, left the scene before police got there. Medical workers took Blomdahl to a local hospital, where he received medical treatment.
A law enforcement investigation found that starting in January 2021, Blomdahl made several trips from Portland to Phoenix, Arizona, to buy fentanyl, which he sold in the Pacific Northwest.
HSI special agents executed a search warrant on Blomdahl’s home in November 2021. They seized about 600 grams of fentanyl, two firearms, ammunition, and other controlled substances.
During the investigation, HSI also learned that Blomdahl aided and abetted in an armed robbery of a 14-year-old boy in Vancouver.
“It was revealed that Blomdahl was in close contact with another individual who, while pretending to be a police officer, stole a motorcycle offered for sale online by the 14-year-old,” the release said.
While the robbery was going on, Blomdahl sent the robber messages, including one telling him to place the boy under fake arrest. Blomdahl also reached out to the victim’s mother, pretending to be the victim, and tried gaining access to the boy’s online sales account.
A federal grand jury in Portland indicted Blomdahl in March 2022, charging him with “possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime,” the release said.
Blomdahl pleaded guilty to these charges in September 2023. Additionally, in May 2023, Pastorino received a 77-month prison sentence, plus five years of supervised release, for his role in the armed robbery.
HSI and the Portland Police Bureau investigated the case. Cassady A. Adams, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, prosecuted it.
The news comes as Oregon lawmakers work to recriminalize drug possession due to the negative consequences of the 2020 voter-approved Measure 110 that decriminalized it.
After the measure became law, fentanyl-related drug overdose deaths more than doubled in Oregon.
This report was first published by The Center Square.
Also read:
- Harvest Days in Battle Ground coming up July 19-21The Battle Ground Festivals Association is preparing for three days of celebration, including a car cruise on Friday night, a parade on Saturday, and fireworks on Saturday night at Harvest Days.
- Organizers looking for cars for Cruise to the Shoug show on Aug. 454-40 Brewing Co. is hosting Cruise to the Shoug on Aug. 4 as a fundraiser for the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, and organizers are looking for car owners to book their spots for the show.
- Trump picks Ohio’s J.D. Vance for vice presidentFormer President Donald Trump picked U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, to serve as his vice president should Trump beat President Joe Biden this November for another term in the White House.
- Children with disabilities make memories at the 24th annual Merwin Day of FishingOn Saturday (July 13), Pacific Power and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife joined together to host a memorable fishing event for children with disabilities at the Merwin Fish Hatchery near Woodland.
- Letter: For the public record and the Comprehensive PlanIn a July 12 letter to the Clark County Council, Clark County Citizens United President Susan Rasmussen shares that primary stakeholders were ignored in the Wetland and Habitat Ordinance Conservation Covenant.
- CASE DISMISSED: Classified documents case against Trump thrown out by judgeA federal judge in Florida dismissed the classified documents-related criminal case against former President Donald Trump on Monday, saying the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith violated the Constitution.
- Photos: Log show and parade at Territorial Days 2024 in AmboyTerritorial Days in Amboy never disappoints, and this weekend brought all kinds of activities in logging country, and Clark County Today had a photographer there to capture images from the annual parade and log show.