SPOKANE COUNTY, WA — A months-long Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) investigation into suspected drug sales led to the arrest of a 40-year-old man with more than a dozen prior felony convictions, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives say the investigation resulted in the recovery of firearms, illegal drugs, and stolen property from a residence in North Spokane.
SVIU Detectives began examining suspected controlled substance delivery earlier this fall and identified Ryan L. Olson as a potential suspect. Investigators developed information indicating Olson was selling significant quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. Detectives also confirmed that Olson has 13 prior felony convictions, including identity theft, multiple counts of burglary, unlawful firearm possession, organized retail theft, theft, trafficking stolen property and community custody violations. In addition, he had an active Washington State Department of Corrections Escape Community Custody warrant at the time of the investigation.
With probable cause to pursue charges including delivery of a controlled substance and use of a building for drug purposes, detectives obtained a search warrant for Olson’s residence. On November 25, 2025, at approximately 9:20 a.m., SVIU Detectives — assisted by the SWAT Team — served the warrant at a home in the 7900 block of N. Regal Street, where Olson was arrested.
During the search, investigators seized a scoped rifle, a .22-caliber revolver, a 9mm pistol reported as stolen, multiple firearm magazines, ammunition and holsters. Detectives also located several hundred suspected fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, drug scales with residue, packaging materials, and paraphernalia. Additional items collected as evidence included electronics, cellphones, approximately $314 in cash and coins, a reported stolen Trek bicycle, miscellaneous credit and debit cards, a stolen license plate and a white 2011 BMW.
Detectives later developed additional probable cause to charge Olson with three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, endangerment with a controlled substance, and multiple counts of possessing stolen property. These charges come in addition to the original allegations and the active DOC warrant.
Olson remains in the Spokane County Jail with total bond set at $190,000, along with a DOC hold. Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges or arrests may follow.
