Spokane Man Sentenced to 7 Years for Downtown Drug Dealing

Thomas Michael Hanahan, known as "Big Mike", distributed meth and fentanyl in a "de facto open-air drug market" near the House of Charity.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 3:55pm

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A 38-year-old Spokane man named Thomas Michael Hanahan, also known as "Big Mike", was sentenced to 7 years in prison for repeatedly distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in a "de facto open-air drug market" in downtown Spokane. Hanahan was identified by law enforcement as a major drug dealer in the area and was caught selling to undercover agents on multiple occasions.

Why it matters

The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to crack down on open-air drug markets and the distribution of dangerous drugs like meth and fentanyl in the Spokane community, which has been grappling with a persistent opioid crisis.

The details

According to court documents, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives was conducting a crime reduction emphasis in Spokane when they identified Hanahan as a major distributor of meth and fentanyl, known to sell drugs near the House of Charity in downtown Spokane. Hanahan bragged to undercover agents posing as customers about his drug connections in Idaho and Montana, and the agents were able to purchase drugs from Hanahan and other sources he introduced them to on multiple occasions.

  • On several occasions in 2025, Hanahan sold meth and fentanyl to undercover agents.

The players

Thomas Michael Hanahan

A 38-year-old Spokane man known as "Big Mike" who was identified as a major distributor of methamphetamine and fentanyl in downtown Spokane.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

The federal law enforcement agency that was conducting a crime reduction emphasis in Spokane and identified Hanahan as a drug dealer.

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What’s next

Hanahan will serve 7 years in prison and 4 years of supervised release after his sentence.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the continued challenge of addressing open-air drug markets and the distribution of highly addictive and deadly drugs like meth and fentanyl in urban communities, and the importance of law enforcement efforts to disrupt these drug trafficking networks.