Warrants served in Bellingham and Ferndale result in 4 arrests

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Officials with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office announced an investigation into drug trafficking in Whatcom County led to 2 search warrants, 1 in Bellingham and the other in Ferndale. Those searches led to the arrest of 4 persons on a total of 24 charges.

The Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force (WGDTF) has been investigating the suspected illegal activities of several individuals tied to drug trafficking in Whatcom County. This investigation led to two search warrants granted by the Whatcom County Superior Court and executed on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the 2200 block of Valencia St. in Bellingham and the 2300 block of Main St. in Ferndale.

These search warrants led to four arrests and a total of 24 charges:

Eric Ventress [age 49]

• Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver – Cocaine
• Maintain Dwelling for Drug Trafficking
• Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine

Juan Mendoza [age 32]

• Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (2 Counts)
• Attempt to Elude Law Enforcement (2 Counts)
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree (2 Counts)
• Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Maintain Dwelling for Drug Trafficking
• DWLS 1st Degree (2 Counts)
• Resisting Arrest
• Obstructing Law Enforcement

Morgan Stewart [age 19]

• Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver (2 Counts)
• Rendering Criminal Assistance – 2nd Degree
• Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (2 Counts)
• Resisting Arrest
• Obstructing Law Enforcement

Steven Barnett [age 41]

• Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver – Cocaine

The investigation found probable cause for Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine for 48-year-old ERIC VENTRESS of Bellingham. During service of the Valencia St. search warrant, Ventress left the building and was taken into custody. The search of the residence yielded items indicative of manufacturing, cutting and repackaging cocaine and crack cocaine, and a pre-packaged bag of white powder, which field tested positive for cocaine. This led to probable cause for Maintain Dwelling for Drug Trafficking and Possession with Intent to Deliver – Cocaine. In addition, the Bellingham Police Department had probable cause for Ventress for Assault 2nd (DV) and Assault 4th (DV) related to an incident in June of 2024. He was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on the above charges.   

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Throughout the investigation, 32-year-old JUAN MENDOZA of Sedro Woolley was observed appearing to make drug transactions in the Bellingham area. When law enforcement attempted a traffic stop on Mendoza on Oct. 21 for a Revoked 1st driving status, Mendoza fled. In the interest of public safety, there was no pursuit. The vehicle was located nearby with a different driver. A search warrant performed on the vehicle located a digital scale, Mendoza’s ID, zip lock baggies and white powder, indicative of drug distribution. Probable cause existed for Mendoza for Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Driving with a Suspended/Revoked license and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. On Oct. 24, Mendoza fled from Ferndale Police and Washington State Patrol, leading to probable cause for a second count of both Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement and Driving with a Suspended/Revoked license.

The investigation found probable cause for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Rendering Criminal Assistance 2nd for 19-year-old MORGAN STEWART of Burlington.

During the search warrant on Main St. in Ferndale, both Mendoza and Stewart failed to respond when ordered by law enforcement to come out of the building. Using video equipment, Mendoza and Stewart were seen crawling into the attic where they remained for about 30 minutes, ignoring law enforcement commands. Investigators watched as Mendoza and Stewart returned from the attic and moved rapidly between the bedroom and the bathroom, leaving investigators to believe they were concealing or destroying evidence. Probable cause existed for Obstructing Law Enforcement and Resisting Arrest for both Mendoza and Stewart. Law enforcement entered the building and took them both into custody. While being booked at the Whatcom County Jail, several grams of suspected fentanyl powder were located in Mendoza’s anal cavity. (Count 2 – Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver). And about 1.3 grams of suspected fentanyl-laced powder was found concealed in Stewart’s bra, as well as cash, suspected to be drug proceeds (Count 2 – Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver).

The Ferndale search warrant located two firearms, one reported stolen based on a Bellingham Police Department report from 2022. (Possession of a Stolen Firearm for both Stewart and Mendoza). Stewart has a felony conviction from 2022 for Malicious Mischief 2nd and therefore not eligible to possess firearms and Mendoza was the respondent on a No-Contact Order through the Superior Court of Whatcom County which ordered Mendoza not to “own, possess, or control a firearm.” (Two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm for both Stewart and Mendoza). Baggies, a digital scale, and a bag containing white powder (later field tested as baking soda) were located in the apartment. A bag containing several grams of blue “M 30” stamped pills, recognized as consistent with fentanyl-laced pills, was also located. Probable cause existed for Maintaining a Dwelling for Drug Trafficking for Mendoza.

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The investigation also found probable cause to arrest 41-year-old STEVEN BARNETT of Oak Harbor for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver – Cocaine. He was contacted and arrested on Nov. 6. Investigators suspect Barnett supplied the cocaine to Ventress. He was also booked into the Whatcom County Jail.

The WGDTF was assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Bellingham Resident Office, Bellingham Police Department SWAT and Ferndale Police Department.

– Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (November 7, 2024)

As of November 8th, all remained in custody at the Whatcom County Jail except for Barnett. He was released from custody on November 7th after posting an appearance bond of $25,000 or $2,500 cash.