BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A Bellingham man initially facing drug dealing charges has been sentenced for possessing an explosive.

46-year-old Joshua Byram was sentenced last Thursday, Feb. 6 to a year in prison on an explosives charge. Three drug dealing and possession charges as well as another explosive possession charge were dropped as part of a plea deal.

The Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force had been investigating Byram for mid-level drug dealing since the summer of 2024.

A search warrant for his apartment was granted after undercover officers made several purchases from him. Investigators found evidence of drug dealing, along with an improvised explosive device and materials to make more.

Byram was transferred to Department of Corrections custody on Feb. 11.