GIDEON ISRAEL ARRESTED IN DRUG RAID

Organized Crime: An Undercover Investigation Lasting More Than Two Years
Ends In Seven Arrests.

By Joel Coffidis

Gideon Israel, the founder of popular music festivals at Rainbow Valley,
was arrested Friday by drug agents who say he led a crime network.

Israel, 48, David Sanderson, 37, and Charles K. Heald, 32, were arrested at
Israel's property near Littlerock, where his controversial music festivals
have been held.

Four other people were arrested in six other raids at homes believed to be
part of the network in Thurston and Pierce counties, police said.

The raids and arrests culminated a more than twoyear undercover
investigation of Israel's gatherings by the Thurston County Narcotics Task
Force, task force Cmdr. Ed Sorger said.

Sorger said the officers prurchased LSD, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana
at the gatherings, which feature rock music and camping.

"The action today confirmed (the) local law enforcement belief that the
festivals at Rainbow Valley involved significant drug use and sales," a
task force news release said.

Israel, who advocates the legalization of marijuana, has battled for years
with Thurston County authorities over noise at his outdoor festivals, which
he dubbed peace gatherings.

He also has battled county officials over rules for mobile homes, wells and
sewage disposal on the nearly 23 acres he owns south of Littlerock.

Israel was being held at the Thurston County Jail late Friday without bail.

He was arrested on suspicion of leading an organized crime network, money
laundering and delivery of more than 40 grams of marijuana, an undisclosed
amount of psilocybin mushrooms and about $1,500 in cash were seized from
Israel's home, Flinton said.

Sanderson was arrested on suspicion of possession of psilocybin mushrooms,
Flinton added.

Heald was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana with intent to
deliver, jail booking records said.

Also arrested were Dennis Koeppen, 45, and Debra Koeppen, 43, on suspicion
of money laundering; William Coppetti, 45, on suspicion of manufacturing
marijuana while armed; and a person in Spanaway, whose name was not
available.

No one was home at two residences in Lacey that were raided, nor at a
raided Tacoma home.

Under state law, a person can be charged with leading organized crime if it
involves a series of three or more crimes in which the person supervises or
directs the criminal activity, said Jim Powers, Thurston County's chief
deputy prosecutor.

The charge is punishable by up to life in prison and a $50,000 fine, Powers
said.