Levi Joseph Blomdahl, a 38-year-old resident of Vancouver, Washington, was recently sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. This comes after he was found guilty of distributing fentanyl and assisting in the armed robbery of a 14-year-old.
According to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon’s office, Homeland Security Investigations in the Portland area uncovered evidence that Blomdahl was involved in fentanyl trafficking in 2021.
In September 2021, Blomdahl fell victim to a drug-related robbery and shooting on Hayden Island in Portland, Oregon. During the incident, he bravely engaged in a shootout with the robber, but unfortunately sustained injuries.
Anthony Pastorino, a 44-year-old resident of Vancouver, fled the scene before the police arrived. Blomdahl was then transported to a nearby hospital where he received the necessary medical attention.
Blomdahl was found to have engaged in multiple trips from Portland to Phoenix, Arizona, to purchase fentanyl, a substance he subsequently sold in the Pacific Northwest.
In November 2021, HSI special agents conducted a search warrant at Blomdahl’s residence, where they confiscated approximately 600 grams of fentanyl, along with two firearms, ammunition, and various other controlled substances.
During the investigation, HSI also discovered that Blomdahl had played a role in assisting and encouraging an armed robbery involving a 14-year-old boy in Vancouver.
According to the release, it was uncovered that Blomdahl had been in frequent communication with another person who, under the guise of a police officer, actually stole a motorcycle that the 14-year-old had put up for sale online.
In March 2022, Blomdahl was indicted by a federal grand jury in Portland. The charges against him include “possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime,” according to the release.
Blomdahl admitted his guilt for these charges in September 2023. Furthermore, Pastorino was sentenced to 77 months in prison, along with five years of supervised release, for his involvement in the armed robbery in May 2023.
The case was investigated by HSI and the Portland Police Bureau. Cassady A. Adams, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, handled the prosecution.
Oregon lawmakers are currently in the process of recriminalizing drug possession, citing the negative implications of Measure 110, which was approved by voters in 2020 and decriminalized the offense.
After the law was passed, there was a significant increase in fentanyl-related drug overdose deaths in Oregon.
