Second Spokane Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Fentanyl Pill Press Operation

Nicholas Adams received 20 years in federal prison for running a commercial fentanyl pill manufacturing operation in his home.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A second Spokane man, Nicholas Adams, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in operating a commercial fentanyl pill press operation out of his home in the Hillyard neighborhood. Adams and his co-defendant Timothy Maddox obtained a pill press from China and used it to manufacture counterfeit fentanyl pills for distribution in the community. Authorities seized large quantities of fentanyl powder, cutting agents, firearms, and the operational pill press from Adams' residence.

Why it matters

The fentanyl pill manufacturing operation run by Adams and Maddox posed a serious threat to public safety, with the potential to produce enough lethal doses to kill the entire population of Spokane County nearly four times over. This case highlights the ongoing challenge of combating the production and distribution of deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl in local communities.

The details

According to federal prosecutors, Adams and Maddox obtained a commercial pill press from China and set up a fentanyl pill production operation in the basement of Adams' home. They mixed fentanyl powder with cutting agents to manufacture counterfeit pills for distribution. Search warrants executed at their residences uncovered large quantities of fentanyl powder, cutting agents, pill press components, firearms, and the operational pill press. Authorities calculated the seized fentanyl powder could have produced over 2 million potentially lethal pills.

  • In November 2023, search warrants were executed at several locations related to the fentanyl pill press operation.
  • On Monday, March 10, 2026, U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Nicholas Adams to 20 years in federal prison.

The players

Nicholas Adams

A 37-year-old Spokane man who was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his role in operating a commercial fentanyl pill press operation out of his home.

Timothy Maddox

Adams' co-defendant who was previously sentenced to 20 years in prison for his involvement in the same fentanyl pill manufacturing operation.

U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice

The judge who sentenced Nicholas Adams to 20 years in federal prison.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano

A federal prosecutor who said stopping the production and distribution of fentanyl remains one of the most pressing challenges facing law enforcement.

Robert A. Saccone

The special agent in charge of the DEA's Seattle Field Division, who said the fentanyl pill manufacturing operation posed a serious threat to the region.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The volume of fentanyl that this investigation took off the street is truly staggering. Removing him for decades will protect this community in ways seen and unseen.”

— Pete Serrano, First Assistant U.S. Attorney (U.S. Department of Justice)

“Securing long prison sentences for both defendants helped eliminate one of Eastern Washington's largest fentanyl pill manufacturing operations.”

— April Miller, Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge (U.S. Department of Justice)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Nicholas Adams out on bail pending his appeal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing battle against the production and distribution of deadly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which continue to pose a serious threat to public safety in communities across the country. The long prison sentences handed down to Adams and Maddox demonstrate the commitment of federal law enforcement to dismantle large-scale drug trafficking operations and protect vulnerable populations from the devastating impacts of the opioid crisis.