Washington state man convicted on drug charges related to two overdose deaths in Skagway

Jacob Cotton, 34, found guilty by federal trial court jury in Juneau on two counts of distributing fentanyl pills resulting in deaths in 2023

Officer James Michels with the Skagway Police Department holds fentanyl pills seized in January of 2023 after two residents died of suspected overdoses. (Skagway Police Department photo)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

A man was convicted by a federal court jury in Juneau on Wednesday of shipping fentanyl pills to Skagway that resulted in the deaths of two people, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Jacob Cotton, 34, of Spokane, Washington, shipped a parcel with the pills to a person in Skagway who received it in January of 2023, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

Anthony Bowers, 28, who received the pills, and James Cook, 44, who was among the people seeking to buy some of the pills, both died of overdoses — the first Skagway deaths officially linked to fentanyl, according to a KHNS report at the time Cotton was arrested.

The U.S. Attorney’s office release states Skagway was "dry" — meaning no fentanyl was available — when Cotton agreed to send about 150 pills to the community.

"The object of the conspiracy was to have Cotton buy fentanyl in Spokane for a cheaper price, ship it to Alaska and then charge a premium price for purchase in Skagway," the release states. "Cotton and the individual agreed to split any distribution proceeds."

Bowers received the pills on Jan. 11 or 12, 2023, and contacted multiple individuals about purchasing the drugs, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

"On Jan. 13, around 11:30 p.m., the individual selling the pills was found unresponsive on his bathroom floor and later declared deceased after attempts to revive him," the release states. Subsequently, at about 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 14, "the 44-year-old man was found dead in his bedroom."

Cotton was arrested in June of 2024, according to KHNS. Prosecutors during the five-day trial presented evidence of records confirming Cotton’s shipment of drugs, digital messages and other forms of payment connected to the illegal drug sales, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Cotton was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death, and one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, according to the release. The federal jury also found Cotton guilty of a “death resulting” enhancement for both victims, which required proof that the fentanyl pills Cotton distributed were the cause of each victim’s death.

Cotton faces between 20 years and life in prison on each count. Sentencing will be scheduled at a future date.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.