District of Utah
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Illegal Alien from China Sentenced After Attempting to Check an Undeclared Firearm and Ammunition at Provo Airport in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Xuemei Zhao, 54, of the People’s Republic of China, who was residing in the United States illegally, was sentenced today to time served (imprisonment approximately one year) after she tried to check a suitcase with an undeclared .357 Magnum revolver and ammunition, at the Provo Airport.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Howard C. Nielson Jr., comes after Zhao pleaded guilty on April 29, 2025, to possession of a firearm by a restricted person (alien). Zhao will now be remanded to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.
According to court documents and admissions made at Zhao’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on March 20, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) discovered a black Rossi Braztech Int’l .357 Magnum revolver pistol in Zhao’s checked luggage. Prior to delivering the suitcase to American Airlines, Zhao did not disclose the presence of the firearm to TSA or American Airlines. In addition to the firearm, Zhao had 9 rounds of .357 ammunition in her carry-on luggage. Zhao was taken into custody and $10,900 in cash was found hidden in her luggage. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was contacted and confirmed that Zhao arrived on a tourist visa, had a pending asylum application, and was not a lawful permanent resident of the United States. Zhao’s sentence was enhanced under the United States Sentencing Guidelines because the Court found that Zhao possessed the firearm in connection with other illegal conduct, commercial sex work.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Provo Resident Agency. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Kennedy of the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Previously Removed Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug and Immigration Crimes in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A previously removed illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced today to five years’ imprisonment after he possessed and intended to distribute approximately 17 pounds of methamphetamine and illegally reentered the United States after being removed in 2020.
In addition to his term of imprisonment, Juan Alexis Castanon-Chavez, 28, residing illegally in Bountiful, Utah, was sentenced to one year of supervised release. Upon his release from imprisonment, Castanon-Chavez will be remanded to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.
According to court documents and statements made at Castanon-Chavez’s sentencing and change of plea hearings, on March 2, 2025, agents arranged a controlled purchase of narcotics from Castanon-Chavez. On that day, Castanon-Chavez brought approximately eight kilograms of methamphetamine to sell to an undercover agent posing as a drug purchaser. Agents seized approximately 7,930 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine from Castanon-Chavez’s vehicle. Castanon-Chavez admitted he intended to sell the methamphetamine had it not been seized by law enforcement. He further admitted that he unlawfully reentered the United States after he was removed on March 3, 2020. See prior press release: Mexican National Facing Drug and Immigration Charges.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case was investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Davis County Drug Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney Vernon G. Stejskal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Previously Removed Illegal Alien from Honduras Indicted for Allegedly Attempting to Distribute Fentanyl in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment against a previously removed Honduran national for alleged drug trafficking after agents seized approximately 2,500 individual fentanyl pills from the defendant, his vehicle, and residence.
Lester Levi Carias Zuniga, 29, residing unlawfully in West Jordan, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on March 24, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, during the month of March 2026, detectives with the Utah Couty Major Crimes Task Force received information that a man, later identified as Carias Zuniga, was distributing fentanyl throughout the Salt Lake area. A controlled purchase of fentanyl was conducted, and Carias Zuniga arrived in a Toyota Camry. Through surveillance, detectives learned that Carias Zuniga lived at a residence in West Jordan. A search warrant was obtained for Carias Zuniga’s residence and the Toyota Camry. On March 18, 2026, pursuant to the search warrant, detectives stopped Carias Zuniga in the Toyota Camry after leaving his residence. Carias Zuniga was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 40 grams of fentanyl pills packaged in multiple baggies. Detectives also located and seized 4.7 grams of fentanyl powder on Carias Zuniga. Both substances field-tested positive for fentanyl. During a search of Carias Zuniga’s residence, detectives located and seized approximately 206 grams of fentanyl pills and an additional 16 grams of fentanyl powder. In total, agents seized approximately 266 grams of fentanyl pills (approximately 2,500 individual pills).
Carias Zuniga was previously removed from the United States in 2018. Despite his removal, he was found in the United States during this incident and there is no evidence that he obtained permission to be in the United States.
Carias Zuniga is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and reentry of a previously removed alien. A two-day jury trial is scheduled for June 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 7.3 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC). Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Special United States Attorney Pete Reichman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Illegal Alien from Mexico Indicted for Drug and Immigration Crimes in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment against a previously removed Mexican national for alleged drug trafficking after detectives with the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force seized approximately 11,000 individual fentanyl pills.
Brajhan Luna-Vazquez, 24, residing unlawfully in Millcreek, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on March 23, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, beginning in November 2025, the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force initiated a criminal investigation into a group believed to be distributing fentanyl in the District of Utah. A controlled purchase of fentanyl was conducted and during the controlled purchase a male, later identified as Luna-Vazquez, arrived in a white sedan and sold fentanyl. A search warrant was obtained for an apartment in which Luna-Vazquez was residing at in Millcreek, and a white sedan. On March 18, 2026, detectives stopped the white sedan pursuant to the search warrant. Luna-Vazquez was the driver and sole-occupant of the vehicle. A search warrant was also executed on the apartment in Millcreek. In total, detectives found approximately 1,111 grams of fentanyl pills, which field tested positive for fentanyl. Luna-Vazquez was previously removed from the United States on September 5, 2025.
Luna-Vazquez is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and reentry of a previously removed alien. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 9, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC). Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Reichman of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Utah Licensed Osteopathic Physician Indicted for Allegedly Receiving Misbranded Drugs from China and Selling them to PatientsRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today against a Utah physician who allegedly received, recommended, delivered, and sold to his unwitting patients, misbranded drugs from China that were not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to the allegations in court documents, Justin Bradley Watkins, 39, of Pleasant View, Utah, obtained misbranded drugs from China, specifically peptides that he knew were not FDA approved. Watkins obtained the drugs through a middleman between February 2024 to April 2025. The peptide orders included, among others, Tirzepatide, Semaglutide, Retatrutide, Cagrilinitide, BPC-157, TB500, Ipamorelin, CJC 1295, GHK, GHK-CU, and NAD+. Watkins purchased the peptides at a deeply discounted price, and knew they were not backed by proper, reliable testing and clinical trials. In furtherance of the fraud, Watkins made and affixed labels to vials and/or pill bottles before providing them to clinic staff. None of the labels disclosed the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, as required by the FDA’s Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). During the fraud period, Watkins recommended, provided, delivered, and sold misbranded, non-FDA-approved peptides to over 200 trusting patients.
Watkins is charged with receipt in interstate commerce and delivery for pay misbranded drugs with intent to defraud or mislead, and aiding and abetting. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for April 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), and the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Assistant United States Attorney Mark Y. Hirata of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Allegedly Possessing a Firearm as a Restricted Person Following a Shooting in Downtown Salt Lake CityRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging a previously convicted felon of a firearm crime after he allegedly opened fire outside a downtown Salt Lake City bar where two people were shot.
SLCPDAngelo Mark Garcia, 40, of Salt Lake City, was initially charged by complaint on March 19, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, on March 14, 2026, at approximately 1:15 a.m., officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) responded to a shots fired call outside a bar in downtown Salt Lake City. Upon the officers’ arrival, they located a victim with a gunshot wound. At approximately 1:17 a.m. a Utah Highway Patrol trooper stopped a white SUV near 400 South State Street in Salt Lake City for a traffic violation. The trooper noticed the driver, identified as Garcia, and his passenger had red-brown stains on their clothing and appeared to have been in a recent altercation. During a preliminary search of the vehicle, the trooper observed a firearm underneath the front passenger seat. Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained, and SLCPD detectives seized a Glock 19 9mm semi-automatic pistol. At the scene of the shooting, multiple 9mm casings were recovered. Detectives also obtained video of the incident from multiple sources, and Garcia is allegedly shown firing into the air before firing multiple rounds in the direction of several individuals. Investigators later learned a second person had been shot during the incident. As a previously convicted felon, Garcia is restricted from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition.
Garcia is charged with felon in possession of a firearm. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for April 3, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The Salt Lake City Police Department’ Patrol Division and Gang Unit is investigating the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Utah Highway Patrol and FBI.
Assistant United States Attorney Victoria K. McFarland of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former Utah School Bus Driver Admits to Setting a School Bus on FireRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A former Utah school bus driver admitted to setting a bus on fire with a cigarette lighter while driving it. The bus was owned by a local school district receiving federal funds.
Michael Austin Ford, 60, of West Valley City, was indicted on February 21, 2024.
According to court documents and admissions made at Ford’s change of plea hearing, he intentionally set a Granite School District school bus on fire with a cigarette lighter on April 7, 2023. Ford was captured on video igniting the bus and continued to drive the bus with smoke billowing past his face. In other court documents, prosecutors described evidence of Ford as having attempted to tamper with the bus’s video surveillance system in the days preceding the April 2023 arson.
On a separate occasion in February 2022, Ford was also accused of setting a Granite School District school bus on fire that had 42 children inside and did so while driving in traffic. See prior press release: Former School Bus Driver Accused of Igniting a Bus Full of Children is Indicted and Detained.
“It is our hope Ford is sentenced to the term of imprisonment that will protect our community from his careless disregard for safety and the law,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah.
“Children are among our most vulnerable population. When someone intentionally threatens their safety through violent crimes involving fire, it is especially disturbing and such cases will always remain a top priority for our agency,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Chris Ashbridge. “Our agents worked tirelessly on this investigation, utilizing all available resources to ensure those who commit such callous acts are held fully accountable and our community is protected from further violence.”
Ford is scheduled to be sentenced June 1, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.3 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case.
Assistant United States Michael J. Thorpe of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
Florencia 13 Gang Member Who Pleaded Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy Charge Sentenced to 14 Years’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A member of the Florencia 13 Gang, a criminal organization, who admitted to his role in “racketeering activity,” specifically attempted murder and firearm trafficking, was sentenced to 168 months’ imprisonment.
In addition to his term of imprisonment, Angel Medina-Sahagun, aka “Tito,” 25, of West Valley City, Utah, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered by the court to pay restitution to the victim.
According to court documents and statements made at Medina-Sahagun’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, beginning on an unknown date before 2017, Medina-Sahagun associated himself with Florencia 13, a criminal street gang affiliated with the Surenos. On November 18, 2017, Medina-Sahagun was summoned by another member of Florencia 13 to go to the TRAX station where he assaulted and stabbed a victim multiple times, intending to kill him. Medina-Sahagun also admitted to pointing a gun at the victim’s brother who attempted to intervene during the assault. Additionally, prior to 2022, Medina-Sahagun, while still a member of the Florencia 13, conspired with other members to acquire firearms for the organization. Some of the other members with whom he conspired were felons and therefore restricted from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition. Medina-Sahagun admitted to transferring firearms to juveniles and individuals whom he knew would use the firearms to commit violent crimes.
“My office has zero-tolerance for violent crime in the District of Utah,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “It is our hope Medina-Sahagun’s sentence will deter others from committing violent crimes and bring awareness to these criminal organizations that target children to carry out their criminal behavior.”
The case was investigated by the West Jordan Police Department, Sandy City Police Department, the Salt Lake Area Metro Gang Unit, and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Illegal Alien from Mexico Indicted After Agents Seized Large Quantities of Narcotics, Including 22 Pounds of Fentanyl PowderRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment against an alleged drug trafficker, living in the United States illegally, for multiple drug crimes after agents seized large quantities of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine from defendant’s residence.
FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task ForceRuben Flores Enriquez, 28, of Mexico, illegally residing in West Valley City, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on February 2, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, beginning in February 2026, the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF), initiated a criminal investigation into Enriquez and other members of a drug trafficking organization believed to be distributing large quantities of narcotics in the District of Utah. On February 23, 2026, a search warrant was executed on Enriquez’s residence in West Valley City. During the search, agents located and seized approximately 1,466 grams of blue counterfeit pills which field-tested positive for fentanyl; 9,811 grams of a powder-like substance, which tested positive for fentanyl; 1,373 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine; and 679 grams of field-tested heroin. Enriquez was arrested.
FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task ForceEnriquez is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF). Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Assistant United States Attorney Seth A. Nielsen of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Attachments:
ruben_flores_enriquez.indictment.pdf ruben_flores_enriquez.complaint.pdf rubenfloresenriquez.dm_.pdfColorado Man Charged with Drug Trafficking Crimes in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A Colorado man is facing multiple drug charges after he allegedly attempted to traffic narcotics through the District of Utah. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on March 10, 2026, charging the defendant after he was arrested during a traffic stop when law enforcement located and seized meth, fentanyl, and heroin from the vehicle he was driving.
Travis Christopher Schultz, 37, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was arrested on February 13, 2026, in Blanding, Utah.
According to the allegations in court documents, on February 13, 2026, San Juan County Sheriff Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a truck that Schultz was driving during which deputies suspected Schultz was trafficking illegal narcotics. A K-9 was deployed and detected illegal narcotics. During two separate searches of the vehicle, deputies located and seized from the bed of the vehicle and in a hidden compartment of the vehicle, a total of 30 packages wrapped in cellophane, automotive grease and coffee grounds. The packages consisted of 25.5 pounds of field-tested positive methamphetamine, 2.3 pounds of blue M30 suspected fentanyl pills, 1.1 pounds of field-tested positive fentanyl powder, and 56.7 grams of field-tested positive heroin.
Schultz is charged with possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 2B at the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Hood of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Criminal Alien Charged with Multiple Sex Crimes Involving Minors in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
An illegal alien, with three prior voluntary removals, will appear in court Monday, March 16, after he was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly producing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving a teenage girl.
Gerardo Aurelio Iturbide, 24, of Mexico, residing illegally in Hurricane, Utah, was indicted yesterday.
According to the allegations in court documents, on Nov. 23, 2025, Iturbide met three underaged teenage girls at a gas station parking lot in Hurricane. He took the girls to a nearby hotel, where he booked a room. He then gave the girls alcohol and sexually abused two of them. He filmed himself sexually abusing one of the underaged victims and sent the video to his friend using a messaging app on his phone. He encouraged his friend to come to the hotel room. Police arrived at the scene after one of the victims called 911.
Iturbide is charged with production of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography. He is currently being held on state charges of unlawful sexual contact with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.
U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Hurricane Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brady Wilson for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Criminal Alien Charged with Multiple Sex Crimes Involving Minors in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – An illegal alien, with three prior voluntary removals, will appear in court Monday, March 16, 2026, after he was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly producing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) involving a teenage girl.
Gerardo Aurelio Iturbide, 24, of Mexico, residing illegally in Hurricane, Utah, was indicted on March 10, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, on November 23, 2025, Iturbide met three underaged teenage girls at a gas station parking lot in Hurricane, Utah. He took the girls to a nearby hotel, where he booked a room. He then gave the girls alcohol and sexually abused two of them. He filmed himself sexually abusing one of the underaged victims and sent the video to his friend using a messaging app on his phone. He encouraged his friend to come to the hotel room. Police arrived at the scene after one of the victims called 911.
Iturbide is charged with production of child pornography, and distribution of child pornography. He is currently being held on state charges of unlawful sexual contact with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor. His federal initial appearance on the indictment will be held March 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 2B at the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Hurricane Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brady Wilson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Attachments:
iturbide.indictment.pdf iturbide_u.s._motion_for_detention_filed.pdfU.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah Collects $13,502,232.06 in Civil and Criminal Actions in Fiscal Year 2025Read the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak announced today that the District of Utah collected $13,502,232.06 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2025. Of this amount, $8,716,979.03 was collected in criminal actions and $4,758,253.03 was collected in civil actions.
Additionally, the District of Utah worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $65,084,852.14 in cases pursued jointly by these offices. Of this amount, $11,526.48 was collected in criminal actions and $65,073,325.66 was collected in civil actions.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to providing restitution to victims of federal crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Financial recoveries are a critical part of the Department’s mission to hold those who violate the law accountable for the injury they cause to crime victims and the general public.”
In June 2025, the District of Utah recovered $1,250,333 for the victims of Patrick Brody’s fraudulent real estate investment Ponzi scheme.
In July 2025, the District of Utah recovered $350,000 for victims of Jacob Dalton’s securities fraud scheme. After his conviction, the United States discovered that Dalton attempted to use a close family member to shield the funds from recovery and avoid paying restitution. Decisive action by the United States prevented the funds from being lost and led to garnishment of the funds for payment to Dalton’s victims. See press release: Utah County Man Sentenced to 24 Months in Prison After Running a $1.6M Affinity Fraud Scheme.
The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.Additionally, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Utah, working with partner agencies and divisions, collected $11,267,324 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2025. Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.
United States Leads Dismantlement of One of the World’s Largest Hacker ForumsRead the Press Release
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice announced today the seizure of the LeakBase database, one of the world’s largest online forums for cybercriminals to buy and sell stolen data and cybercrime tools.
According to an affidavit unsealed on March 3, the LeakBase forum had over 142,000 members and more than 215,000 messages between members. Available on the open web and in English, the forum had an enormous and continuously updated archive of hacked databases including many from high profile attacks, including hundreds of millions of account credentials. LeakBase allowed forum users to sell the information from stolen databases, including data illegally obtained from U.S. corporations and individuals, and offered credit and debit card numbers, banking account and routing information, usernames and associated passwords which could facilitate additional account takeovers, as well as other sensitive business and personally identifiable information.
On March 3 and 4, law enforcement agents and officers in 14 countries including the United States took synchronized actions against LeakBase and its users in a coordinated effort hosted by Europol in The Hague. Specifically, the United States and other countries shut down LeakBase, seized its data and two of the domains used by the forum, posted seizure banners on the LeakBase sites, sent prevention messages to LeakBase members, and collected additional evidence. Law enforcement also executed search warrants, arrests, and conducted interviews in the United States, Australia, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
LeakBase Splash Page“The takedown of this cyber forum disrupts a major international platform that cybercriminals use to obtain and profit from the theft of sensitive personal, banking and account credentials,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This operation illustrates the strength of the United States and our international partners working across the globe to dismantle a critical cybercriminal forum. The Criminal Division will continue to leverage our international relationships to protect victim personal and account information from falling into the hands of transnational criminal organizations.”
“This 14-country operation demonstrates the extraordinary cooperation with our international partners,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Working with our partners, we can take down even the most sophisticated cyber criminals and networks. My office remains steadfast in our commitment to investigate and seek justice for Americans who are targeted by individuals attempting to hide behind foreign borders.”
“The FBI, Europol, and law enforcement agencies from around the world executed a takedown of LeakBase, one of the largest online cybercriminal platforms, seizing users’ accounts, posts, credit details, private messages, and IP logs for evidentiary purposes,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “Together with our partners, we are sending a message that no criminal is truly anonymous online and removing an easy point of access to stolen information on American businesses and individuals. The FBI will continue to defend the homeland by dismantling the key services that cybercriminals use to facilitate their attacks.”
“Hiding behind a screen does not shield cybercriminals from accountability,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. “This international operation demonstrates the strength of our global alliances and our shared commitment to disrupting platforms that facilitate the theft of data and the victimization of innocent people and organizations worldwide. Together, we will continue to identify, dismantle, and hold accountable those who seek to profit from cybercrime, no matter where they operate.”
The announcement today follows the disruption of predecessor cybercrime marketplaces RaidForums in 2022 and BreachForums in 2023, in addition to the conviction and subsequent sentencing of the founder of BreachForums in 2025.
The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office is investigating the case. The FBI San Diego Field Office, Utah Department of Public Safety, and Provo Police Department also participated in the operation domestically.
Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent L. Andrus and Carl D. LeSueur for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Europol, and numerous law enforcement authorities in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Greece, Kosovo, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom provided significant assistance.CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Anyone that has any information regarding LeakBase should contact the FBI at [email protected].
United States Leads Dismantlement of One of the World’s Largest Hacker ForumsRead the Press Release
The Department of Justice announced today the seizure of the LeakBase database, one of the world’s largest online forums for cybercriminals to buy and sell stolen data and cybercrime tools.
According to an affidavit unsealed on March 3, the LeakBase forum had over 142,000 members and more than 215,000 messages between members. Available on the open web and in English, the forum had an enormous and continuously updated archive of hacked databases including many from high profile attacks, including hundreds of millions of account credentials. LeakBase allowed forum users to sell the information from stolen databases, including data illegally obtained from U.S. corporations and individuals, and offered credit and debit card numbers, banking account and routing information, usernames and associated passwords which could facilitate additional account takeovers, as well as other sensitive business and personally identifiable information.
On March 3 and 4, law enforcement agents and officers in 14 countries including the United States took synchronized actions against LeakBase and its users in a coordinated effort hosted by Europol in The Hague. Specifically, the United States and other countries shut down LeakBase, seized its data and two of the domains used by the forum, posted seizure banners on the LeakBase sites, sent prevention messages to LeakBase members, and collected additional evidence. Law enforcement also executed search warrants, arrests, and conducted interviews in the United States, Australia, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
LeakBase Splash Page“The takedown of this cyber forum disrupts a major international platform that cybercriminals use to obtain and profit from the theft of sensitive personal, banking and account credentials,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “This operation illustrates the strength of the United States and our international partners working across the globe to dismantle a critical cybercriminal forum. The Criminal Division will continue to leverage our international relationships to protect victim personal and account information from falling into the hands of transnational criminal organizations.”
“This 14-country operation demonstrates the extraordinary cooperation with our international partners,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Working with our partners, we can take down even the most sophisticated cyber criminals and networks. My office remains steadfast in our commitment to investigate and seek justice for Americans who are targeted by individuals attempting to hide behind foreign borders.”
“The FBI, Europol, and law enforcement agencies from around the world executed a takedown of LeakBase, one of the largest online cybercriminal platforms, seizing users’ accounts, posts, credit details, private messages, and IP logs for evidentiary purposes,” said Assistant Director Brett Leatherman of the FBI’s Cyber Division. “Together with our partners, we are sending a message that no criminal is truly anonymous online and removing an easy point of access to stolen information on American businesses and individuals. The FBI will continue to defend the homeland by dismantling the key services that cybercriminals use to facilitate their attacks.”
“Hiding behind a screen does not shield cybercriminals from accountability,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. “This international operation demonstrates the strength of our global alliances and our shared commitment to disrupting platforms that facilitate the theft of data and the victimization of innocent people and organizations worldwide. Together, we will continue to identify, dismantle, and hold accountable those who seek to profit from cybercrime, no matter where they operate.”
The announcement today follows the disruption of predecessor cybercrime marketplaces RaidForums in 2022 and BreachForums in 2023, in addition to the conviction and subsequent sentencing of the founder of BreachForums in 2025.
The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office is investigating the case. The FBI San Diego Field Office, Utah Department of Public Safety, and Provo Police Department also participated in the operation domestically.
Senior Counsel Matthew A. Lamberti of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brent L. Andrus and Carl D. LeSueur for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, Europol, and numerous law enforcement authorities in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Greece, Kosovo, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom provided significant assistance.
CCIPS investigates and prosecutes cybercrime and intellectual property (IP) crime in coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies, often with assistance from the private sector. Since 2020, CCIPS has secured the conviction of over 180 cybercriminals and IP criminals, and court orders for the return of over $350 million in victim funds.
Anyone that has any information regarding LeakBase should contact the FBI at [email protected].
Final Defendant Sentenced in $100M Dietary Supplement Fraud and Money Laundering SchemeRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah man was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment by U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow for his involvement in a years-long moneymaking scheme that misled banks and deceived consumers.
Phillip Gannuscia, 55, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty on April 9, 2025, to conspiracy to commit money laundering. In addition to his term of imprisonment, the court ordered Gannuscia to 24 months of supervised release and the forfeiture of his Porsche 911 convertible that was traceable to the scheme.
According to court documents and statements made at Gannuscia’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, from around December 2018 through April 2022, Gannuscia engaged in a scheme and artifice to defraud. The scheme involved applying for credit card processing accounts with fake companies, created with the personal information of family and friends. These accounts would be used to process consumer sales of nutraceutical and dietary products. Because the sales came from misleading and deceptive advertising, the credit card processing accounts would get shut down frequently due to high numbers of refunds or “chargebacks.” To work around these shutdowns, Gannuscia, along with others, helped set up the fake companies, used the credit card processing accounts for payments from consumers, and then laundered the proceeds.
At the time of his involvement in the scheme, Gannuscia was subject to a court order permanently enjoining and restraining him from credit card laundering and making or assisting others in making false statements to obtain credit card processing services. He admitted to setting up the operations for the scheme to shield himself from public view and accountability. He directed others to forge and paste signatures on documents for the fake companies.
Gannuscia admitted to laundering money on numerous occasions, each involving more than $10,000 of fraud proceeds. The total gain attributable to Gannuscia was more than $1.5 million. See prior press release.
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and FDA Office of Criminal Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorneys Brent L. Andrus and Luisa Gough of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Two Alleged Tongan Crip Gang Members Face Firearm Charges Following Salt Lake City Shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An indictment was unsealed today charging two alleged Tongan Crip Gang Members (TCG), one of whom is a convicted felon, with firearm crimes following the January shooting at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Salt Lake City.
SLC Police Dept.Ryan Daniel Toutai, aka “Lost One,” 32, of Salt Lake City, and Fineeva Pomona Maka, aka “Finloc,” 26, of Millcreek, Utah, were indicted by a federal grand jury on February 25, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, both Toutai and Maka had previously been pictured with one of the firearms that was used at the shooting on January 7, 2026. As alleged, on January 7, 2026, the Salt Lake City Police Department received numerous reports of “shots fired” at an LDS church in Salt Lake City. Upon officers’ arrival, they encountered multiple victims with gunshot wounds. As law enforcement secured and processed the scene, they recovered .40 caliber casings, 9mm caliber casings, and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol with serial number 322-90515. Toutai was on scene when officers arrived and was detained after he failed to comply with officers’ requests to move away from first responders rendering aid to a victim. Pursuant to a search warrant, Toutai’s phone was seized and contained photo and video evidence that he had previously possessed the Ruger 9mm, with the same serial number, recovered from the scene. Toutai was identified as the creator of the images and videos based on a distinctive tattoo on his left hand.
SLC Police Dept.According to court documents, Toutai’s phone also contained documentation of events hours before the shooting. Toutai took several photos and videos of himself and his co-defendant Maka. Screenshots from videos depict Maka holding a small black pistol that is consistent with the Ruger LC9. As a multi-convicted felon, Maka is restricted from owning or possessing a firearm and ammunition. Prior to the shooting, Maka, who was on parole for a prior conviction, was ordered to wear a GPS Ankle monitor. Evidence from the GPS ankle monitor combined with physical evidence collected from the scene, strongly corroborates Maka’s possession of the Ruger firearm on January 7, 2026. Additionally, photo and video evidence show Toutai and Maka claiming TCG membership and interacting with other TCG members.
Toutai is charged with unlawful disposition of a firearm. Maka is charged with felon in possession of a firearm. Their initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for March 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Salt Lake City Police Department.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
toutai_maka_indictment.pdf fineeva_maka._motion_for_detention.pdf ryan_toutai.motion_for_detention.pdfChilean National Extradited to U.S. to Face Financial Fraud Crimes in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Chilean national extradited from Chile to the United States on February 25, 2026, was arraigned in court today to face charges that he trafficked tens of thousands of stolen credit card numbers and information.
Alex Rodrigo Valenzuela Monje, aka “VAL4K,” 24, of Chile, was charged in a sealed indictment by a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City on August 8, 2023. The United States submitted an extradition request to Chile, which the Chilean Supreme Court initially approved on April 22, 2025. After various appeals before the Supreme Court of Chile, Valenzuela Monje was arrested on the extradition request from the United States on January 14, 2026. Valenzuela is charged with trafficking in unauthorized access devices, and unlawful transfer of means of identification to facilitate criminal conduct. Valenzuela Monje entered a not-guilty plea to both counts of the indictment against him.
According to the allegations in court documents, from at least May 2021 to August 2023, Valenzuela Monje operated an illegal online card shop, selling dumps of unauthorized access devices through Telegram channels. He allegedly operated the channels known as MacacoCC Collective and Novato Carding, offering payment card data for virtually all U.S. payment cards. Under one credit card brand alone, Valenzuela Monje trafficked the stolen numbers and information for approximately 26,528 cards. Valenzuela often provided the account number, card type, account holder name, card verification value (“CVV” or CVC”), and expiration date.
“I want to thank our federal partners for their dedication in investigating individuals in foreign countries who use the internet to commit crimes against our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Individuals may believe they can hide behind foreign borders, but the United States is committed to investigating and prosecuting these cybercrimes targeting Americans.”
“This extradition sends a clear message to cybercriminals everywhere that geography will not shield you from accountability,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Even when operating from abroad, those who exploit technology to victimize American companies and citizens will be identified, located, and brought to justice. Our international partnerships, alongside our work with the Utah Department of Public Safety, remain among the FBI's most powerful tools in targeting and dismantling cyber threats."
Valenzuela Monje’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 4, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 3.4 before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Kimball at the Orrin G. Hatch U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office with special assistance provided by foreign legal authorities from the National Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalía Nacional) of Chile, Policía de Investigaciones (PDI), FBI's Law Enforcement Attache office in Santiago, Chile, FBI Miami, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs worked closely with Chilean counterparts, the Fiscalía Nacional Unidad Especializada en Cooperación Internacional y Extradiciones (UCIEX), to secure the arrest and extradition of Valenzuela Monje. The extradition was carried out by the FBI, Utah State Bureau of Investigation, and the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Carl LeSueur of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Attachments:
alex_rodrigo_valenzuela_monje.indictment.pdfAlleged Utah Child Predator and Creator of the “Squatty Potty” Indicted After Allegedly Receiving Child Sexual Abuse MaterialRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – An indictment was unsealed today in the District of Utah following the arrest of a Southern Utah entrepreneur, and original co-founder and creator of the “Squatty Potty,” after he was charged for receiving sexually explicit images of a child.
Robert Edwards, 50, of Ivins, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 10, 2026. He was arrested on February 12, 2026, in Washington County, Utah. During his initial appearance on the indictment, he pleaded not guilty and was remanded to the U.S. Marshal Service by U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Kohler in St. George.
According to the allegations in court documents, beginning in March 2021, and continuing through November 2025, in the District of Utah, and elsewhere, Edwards knowingly received multiple images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). In March 2021, an undercover FBI agent assumed the identity of an online profile account and joined a group chat used to trade child sexual abuse material. The online meeting room was viewing a collection of child sexual abuse material videos, which were being streamed on the main screen. Participants in the meeting were visible, including one user later identified as Edwards.
As alleged in court documents, the investigation continued and in May 2025, FBI agents learned that Edwards was suspected of purchasing additional child sexual abuse material via his PayPal account, which flagged four transactions involving Edwards’ account as possibly related to CSAM. On November 4, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant on Edwards’s person and residence. Agents seized a cell phone from his vehicle, which contained multiple videos and images of child sexual abuse material, some of which downloaded onto the cell phone just two weeks before the search warrant was executed. At Edwards’s residence, law enforcement seized additional devices and found additional child sexual abuse material files.
Edwards is charged with receipt of child pornography. His detention hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 2B at the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, St. George Resident Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Burton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Illegal Alien Indicted on Drug Trafficking Charges After Agents Seized over 70,000 Fentanyl Pills in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today on an alleged drug trafficker, living in the United States illegally, for drug crimes after agents seized 74,000 fentanyl pills during two separate drug seizures in the District of Utah.
Jesus Aaron Camacho Duarte, 25, of Mexico, illegally residing in Salt Lake City, was initially charged by complaint on February 5, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, in December 2025 agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received information from a DEA undercover officer concerning illegal drug trafficking by an individual later identified as Camacho Duarte. Agents then conducted an undercover controlled purchase of counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl from Camacho Duarte. On February 4, 2026, agents conducted surveillance at Camacho Duarte’s residence and observed his vehicle, which was identified during their investigation, as being used to facilitate the distribution of narcotics. Agents conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle driven by Camacho Duarte, and a narcotics K9 was deployed and indicated positive for the presence of narcotics. Agents seized approximately 10,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills (1,246 grams) from the vehicle, which field-tested positive for the presence of fentanyl. Camacho Duarte was arrested.
Agents then executed a search warrant at Camacho Duarte’s residence seized approximately 64,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills (6,406.1 grams) which field-tested positive for the presence of fentanyl.
Camacho Duarte is charged with two counts of distribution of fentanyl, possession of fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for February 20, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Valuable assistance was provided by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelsy B. Young of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Criminal Alien Child Sex Offender Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A three-time removed illegal alien and convicted child sex offender from Mexico was sentenced today to 41 months’ imprisonment by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Kimball for illegally reentering the United States.
Isidro De Jesus-Mayo, 44, of Mexico, was charged by felony information on December 17, 2025. In addition to his term of imprisonment, the court imposed a sentence of three years of supervised release. Upon his release of imprisonment, De Jesus-Mayo will be remanded to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings.
According to court documents and statements made at De Jesus-Mayo’s sentencing hearing, on a date unknown to law enforcement, De Jesus-Mayo illegally reentered the United States and was encountered in Layton, Utah, while driving under the influence and attempting to provide a false name to officers. Between 2007 and 2021, De Jesus-Mayo was deported from the United States on three occasions. His most recent deportation in 2021 followed a federal conviction for illegal reentry, in which he received 16 months’ imprisonment. De Jesus-Mayo has an extensive criminal history in the United States that includes narcotics trafficking and the sexual abuse of a 13-year-old victim spanning several months. De Jesus-Mayo was more than 31-years-old at the time of the abuse. For public safety reasons, De Jesus-Mayo, has a lifetime sex offender registration requirement in Utah.
“This administration and our office remain focused on swiftly prosecuting and deporting criminal public safety threats like De Jesus-Mayo,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah.
“The ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, Salt Lake City Field Office is committed to help keep our communities safe by finding, apprehending, and removing criminal illegal aliens,” said acting Field Office Director Brian Henke. “We appreciate partnering with the United States Attorney’s Office in further prosecuting these lawbreakers.”
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Assistant United States Attorney Bryan N. Reeves of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Attachments:
isidro_de_jesus-mayo.sentencing_memo.pdf
Utah Accountant Sentenced after Fraudulently Obtaining over $221,000 in Paycheck Protection Program Loan FundsRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – a Salt Lake City accountant was sentenced today upon his felony conviction after he fraudulently obtained about $221,400 in Paycheck Protection Loan (PPP Loan) funds and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL Loan) funds for clients, without their knowledge. As a result, he personally gained about $10,150 from the scheme, which he was ordered by the court to pay in restitution.
Peter N. Sinju, 51, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to wire fraud.
According to court documents and statements made at Sinju’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, from around June 2, 2020, to about July 3, 2020, Mr. Sinju engaged in a scheme and artifice to defraud the United States and the Small Business Administration (SBA) by submitting at least four fraudulent PPP Loan applications and five fraudulent EIDL-Loan applications on behalf of his clients. The COVID-19 PPP Loans were provided to small businesses for funding to meet specific obligations, including payroll and rent during the pandemic.
Mr. Sinju told his accounting clients that because he had access to their financial information, he could submit the loan applications for them and obtain emergency loans to help their businesses. Without his clients’ knowledge, Mr. Sinju inflated the payroll and gross revenue amounts in the loan applications. For three PPP-Loan applications for three separate clients, he fabricated payroll sheets that used false, identical wage amounts for employees in each business. Some of the listed employees did not even exist, and each of the business owners denied having certified the fabricated payroll sheets.
In total, Mr. Sinju applied for about $461,197.50 in fraudulent loans. However, because some of the loan applications were denied, Mr. Sinju only obtained about $221,400 for his unwitting, and innocent, clients. In return, Mr. Sinju charged his clients a total of about $10,150 in fees or commission for his services in helping them apply for these loans.
U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case was investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Office of Inspector General U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA-OIG).
Assistant United States Attorneys Todd C. Bouton and Brian Williams of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division's prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.
Five-Time Felon Sentenced to Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a Restricted PersonRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah man and convicted felon who was squatting on federal lands was sentenced today to 31 months’ imprisonment after he possessed firearms and ammunition as a restricted person.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)Michael Lee Rasmussen, 49, of West Jordan, Utah, pleaded guilty on December 5, 2025, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In addition to his sentence, U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby sentenced Rasmussen to three years of supervised release and imposed a three-year ban from federal public lands in the District of Utah as a condition of his supervision.
According to court documents and statements made at Rasmussen’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, beginning in late 2024, Mr. Rasmussen, a five-time felon, along with others, constructed a makeshift compound on federal public lands near Manning Canyon, Utah. At its peak, the compound had vehicles, trailers, tents, appliances, and extensive amounts of litter. Rangers with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) also documented raw waste being disposed of on the public land. Despite multiple warnings to move the camp, Mr. Rasmussen’s squatting continued, eventually prompting complaints from locals about gunshots, audible threats, stolen property, and unusual nighttime traffic to and from the camp.
On September 22, 2025, BLM law enforcement rangers, working with state and federal partners, launched an operation to arrest Mr. Rasmussen on his open state warrants and dismantle the camp. During the operation, law enforcement officers safely arrested Mr. Rasmussen, who later admitted to purchasing and shooting firearms and possessing ammunition despite knowing he was prohibited from doing so as a convicted felon. Throughout the camp, officers found small amounts of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, firearms, associated ammunition, and spent brass casings. After the operation, trash and vehicles were removed and the area was thoroughly cleaned.
“Ensuring the safety of those who visit Utah’s federal lands is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “We appreciate the brave work of BLM rangers, the U.S. Forest Service, and our critical state partners, who put a stop to Mr. Rasmussen’s dangerous activities and restored the public’s access to the area.”
“BLM law enforcement worked with federal, state, and county partners to safely dismantle the encampment and remove hazards,” said Camm Stephenson, BLM Utah West Desert District Chief Ranger. “Unauthorized occupation and firearms violations on public lands pose serious risks, and the Bureau is committed to protecting people and resources."
“Our natural resource officers are committed to protecting Utah’s lands and ensuring the safety of all who recreate on them,” said Todd Royce, Director of the DNR Division of Law Enforcement. “Illegal activities like those seen in this case not only threaten public safety but also cause significant damage to our shared natural resources. We value the strong partnerships with the Bureau of Land Management and our local sheriff's offices that allow us to effectively address these complex issues and protect our public lands.”
The case was investigated jointly by the Bureau of Land Management, Utah Division of Natural Resources and Tooele County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Luisa Gough and Tanner Zumwalt of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Salt Lake Woman Sentenced to 15 Months’ Imprisonment After Embezzling Nearly $1.4M from her Employer in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah woman was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release after she used her position to defraud her employer, a Utah based lending services business out of $1,398,014.
Benedicta Okunlola, 32, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on November 18, 2025. In addition to her term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby ordered Okunlola to pay $1,398,014 in restitution, with a lump sum of $5,000 to be paid at or before sentencing.
According to court documents and admissions made at Okunlola’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, between 2020 and 2025, Okunlola used her position as a Merchant Growth Specialist to issue 2,343 prepaid gift cards to herself, her online art business, and family members. In her role, she had access to her company’s credit card for marketing promotions and incentives and was the only employee who purchased gift cards from an outside company to offer incentives to commercial customers. The gift cards Okunlola fraudulently purchased for herself and others were kept below the company’s secondary approval thresholds to avoid detection. She spent the gift cards on rent, online shopping, groceries, rideshares, dining out, and trips to South Korea, Japan, South Africa, and Portugal. In total, Okunlola stole $1,398,014 from her employer over the course of four years.
“Okunlola stole from her employer to fund her jet-setting lifestyle,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “It is our hope that her sentence will serve as deterrent from others thinking about engaging in fraud. By teaming up with our law enforcement partners we will continue to investigate and prosecute these cases.”
“Benedicta Okunlola’s actions were not a mistake or a lapse in judgement. It was a deliberate scheme driven by greed,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The defendant violated a position of trust and caused real financial harm to her employer. This FBI remains committed to investigating complex financial crimes and holding offenders accountable.”
The case was investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Luisa Gough of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
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Illegal Sex Trafficking Ringleader Indicted in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging a Venezuelan national who was residing in the United States illegally with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion after he allegedly threatened a commercial sex worker prior to transporting the alleged victim to Utah to continue doing commercial sex work under threat of force.
Jorge Luis Tejera, 40, who was living in Chicago, Illinois, prior to his arrest, was initially charged by complaint on December 19, 2025.
According to court documents, in November 2024, Homeland Security Agents opened an investigation into a cell of transnational criminal organization “Desastre” related to their potential involvement in a human trafficking operation. Individuals alleged to have been working for Desastre forced vulnerable individuals to work as commercial sex workers for financial benefit. Beginning on a date unknown, and continuing to December 31, 2024, agents identified Tejera as an alleged principal in this illicit business along with others that forced Venezuelan nationals to participate in commercial sex work. Some trafficked individuals were forced into commercial sex work in order to work off a “debt” incurred for their passage (transportation and smuggling) to the United States.
As alleged, investigators have identified numerous victims of human trafficking in this operation. One such victim, who is alleged to have been trafficked directly by Tejera, had their young child allegedly removed from their custody with threats being made toward the victim and the child if the victim did not engage in commercial sex work.
Tejera, and his cohorts, who were largely men who are in the United States illegally, often possessed firearms and would routinely brandish them to enforce their will. Under federal law, illegal aliens are restricted from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition. Additionally, it is known that other individuals associated with an outgrowth of this operation were involved in threatening witnesses and victims (forced commercial sex worker) in case number 2:25-cr-00141.
Tejera’s initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for February 5, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (DHS-HSI).
Assistant United States Attorney Sam Pead of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Utah Business Owner of Urban Armz LLC Sentenced to Two Years’ Imprisonment After Defrauding Victims $591,932Read the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A Utah man who misrepresented his business, Urban Armz, LLC, as a federal firearms licensee based in St. George, was sentenced today to 24 months’ imprisonment after he engaged in financial fraud by falsely representing to customers that his business could fulfill orders to help first responders in Ukrainian warzones. Instead, the defendant and his coconspirator used the money elsewhere, including on personal expenses.
John Earl Donaldson, 32, of Saratoga Springs, Utah, pleaded guilty on May 19, 2025, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to launder money.
In addition to Donaldson’s term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, sentenced Donaldson to three years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $591,932.73 jointly and severally with his codefendant.
According to court documents and admissions made at Donaldson’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, between December 2021 and January 2023, in the District of Utah, Donaldson engaged in financial fraud by holding himself out as the owner and operator of Urban Armz LLC, a purported federal firearms licensee. He falsely represented to two customers that his company sold large quantities of ammunition and had an established business relationship with a major ammunition supplier. When Donaldson received the victims’ money, he failed to deliver the ordered products. At one point, Donaldson obtained capital from a financial firm by lying about his company’s revenues and altering bank statements to reflect fictitious revenues. In March 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, a Ukrainian American nonprofit and a Detroit-based company separately sought to donate needed supplies to first responders (police, paramedics, and firefighters) in warzones. Those entities paid Urban Armz to deliver body armor, bullet proof vests, and other equipment to Ukraine. Donaldson lied about his ability and intent to fulfill the order. He instead took the charitable donors’ money—over $517,000—and spent it elsewhere, including on personal expenses. In all, Donaldson and his coconspirator caused a $591,932.73 loss to four victims. See prior press release: Utah Married Couple Running a Gun and Ammo Shop, Arrested and Indicted After Deceitfully Obtaining Over $600,000 from Customers.
“Defendant preyed on charitable donors seeking to help first responders on the front line in Ukraine. Stealing charitable donations is pernicious, but particularly so when the donations are meant to help those suffering horrific conditions in warzones,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute individuals who exploit others for their own financial gain.”
"Mr. Donaldson’s actions were more than just financial fraud; they were a heartless exploitation of a global crisis,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. "By pocketing over $517,000 intended for life-saving equipment in Ukraine, he prioritized personal greed over the safety of first responders. The FBI remains dedicated to ensuring that those who use deception to defraud others are held fully accountable."
The case was investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, St. George Resident Agency and Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen P. Dent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Southern Utah Man Admits to Wire Fraud in an $89M Investment Scheme with over 200 VictimsRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Today, a Washington County, Utah man admitted to his role in a fraudulent investment scheme that resulted in over 200 victims investing over $89 million, with an outstanding loss of over $77 million.
Matthew Shane Perkins, 47, of Washington County, pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
According to court documents and admissions made at Perkins’s change of plea hearing, between August 2023 and November 2025, Perkins fraudulently claimed he was a successful day trader with a track record of success. He operated Forged Oak LLC and established a business arrangement with the principal of RentDue Capital LLC. RentDue Capital recruited investors to three separate funds through social media, the company’s website, and meetings with investors. When RentDue Capital received investors’ money, the principal sent the funds to Perkins to day trade.
Perkins made repeated false representations regarding the funds’ performance and balance. This included providing records to RentDue Capital that falsified daily trading performance and altering brokerage statements to inflate the funds’ balance. In early November 2025, for example, Perkins provided RentDue Capital with an altered brokerage statement representing that over $133 million were in the funds. At that time, however, the funds had less than $13 million.
Unbeknownst to investors, Perkins lost tens of millions of dollars in day trading. He also misappropriated millions of dollars from investors for personal expenses, for a down payment on a home, and to purchase a cabin, luxury vehicles, and an airplane, among other things.
In the plea agreement, Perkins agreed to restitution of $77,683,091.96. He also agreed to forfeit money and assets traceable to fraud, including over $13 million, a cabin, an airplane, and multiple vehicles.
Perkins is scheduled to be sentenced July 8, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. before a U.S. District Court Judge in courtroom 2B of the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, St. George Resident Agency and IRS Criminal Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen P. Dent, Joseph M. Hood, and Travis K. Elder of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
Previously Removed Undocumented Mexican National Indicted for $1M Ponzi Scheme that Defrauded Approximately 30 Investors in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An indictment was unsealed and an undocumented Mexican national living in Utah was taken into custody after he allegedly collected approximately $1 million from approximately 30 investors in a securities fraud scheme, when he was not licensed to sell securities.
Christian Montiel-Caleit, 45, of Mexico, was living in West Valley City, Utah, when authorities took him into custody on January 29, 2026, following a federal grand jury indictment a day prior.
According to the allegations in court documents, beginning about 2021 and continuing to about December 2024, Montiel-Caleit, fraudulently obtained money by deceiving investors into thinking he was licensed to sell securities and successful at making large returns. For example, to secure investments, Montiel-Caleit would lie to investors by promising 100% returns in 12 months, when in fact he did not generate returns as represented; payments made to investors were derived from other investors instead of actual returns, and on a routine basis for years, investors did not timely receive their principal and investment returns as promised.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Montiel-Caleit is in the United States illegally and was previously removed on March 2, 2006.
Montiel-Caleit is charged with securities fraud, wire fraud, money laundering and illegal reentry of a previously removed alien. His initial appearance on the indictment was January 30, 2026. A 10-day jury trial is scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 7.3 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Utah Division of Securities, FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Woolf and Jacob Strain of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Undocumented Mexican National Indicted in the District of Utah for Alleged Drug CrimesRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An indictment was unsealed today after an alleged drug trafficker, living in the United States illegally on an expired Visa, appeared in federal court after he allegedly possessed and distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine in the District of Utah.
Jose Cesar Paredes-Davila, 33, a Mexican national living in Utah, was charged by complaint on January 20, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, beginning in January 2026, the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC) initiated a criminal investigation into Paredes-Davila after receiving information he was distributing large quantities of narcotics. On January 15, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a vehicle believed to be used by Paredes-Davila to traffic drugs. During the search, law enforcement seized 2,196 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl and approximately 615 grams of field-tested methamphetamine. UCMC officers estimated the fentanyl evidence to be approximately 21,000 fentanyl pills. UCMC officers also located $9,124 in U.S. currency and $2,000 in Western Union money orders.
As alleged in court documents, UCMC officers also learned Paredes-Davila was using vacation rentals to receive controlled substances in the mail. A United States Postal Investigator ran a rental property address Paredes had been using in Salt Lake City and postal records showed a parcel enroute to a Salt Lake City address that was addressed to “Cesar Paredes.” A search warrant was obtained and executed, and agents seized 3,562 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine.
Paredes-Davila is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and attempted possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. A two-day jury trial is scheduled for April 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 7.4 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Undocumented Alleged Drug Traffickers Indicted After Agents Seized 177,000 Fentanyl Pills in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Three undocumented Mexican nationals, living in Utah, appeared in court today after they were indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with multiple drug crimes. The charges come after law enforcement seized large quantities of fentanyl and heroin from defendants’ homes and hidden compartments of their vehicles.
Silvano Gonzalez Venavidez, aka Eduardo Torres-Zepeda, 34; Edgar Ulises Torres Cervantes, aka Juan Maldonado Garcia, 38; and Carlos Roberto Limon Martinez, 21, all from Mexico, living in Salt Lake City were charged by complaint on January 15, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, beginning in November 2025, the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF) initiated a criminal investigation into Venavidez, Cervantes, and Martinez and other members of a drug trafficking organization. Agents believed the defendants and the organization were distributing large quantities of narcotics into Utah. On January 13, 2026, agents executed search warrants on residences and vehicles believed to be used for drug trafficking by Venavidez, Cervantes, and Martinez. Agents first located Martinez in his vehicle and seized approximately 135.08 grams of field-tested positive heroin and 513.35 grams of field-tested fentanyl (approximately 5,000 fentanyl pills) in a concealed area of the vehicle. Agents also seized approximately 1472.49 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl (approximately 14,000 fentanyl pills) and 427.03 grams of field-tested positive heroin.
As alleged in court documents, during a subsequent search of Venavidez’s residence, agents located approximately 14,982 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl (approximately 150,000 fentanyl pills) and 427.03 grams of field-tested heroin. Lastly, according to court documents, agents located Cervantes in his vehicle and seized approximately 204.54 grams of field-tested positive heroin and 879.04 grams of field-tested fentanyl (approximately 8,000 fentanyl pills) in a concealed compartment of the vehicle.
Venavidez, Cervantes, and Martinez are charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. A three-day jury trial is scheduled for April 6, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.3 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nevada Child Predator Sentenced in the District of Utah to 25 Years’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A Nevada woman was sentenced today to 300 months’ imprisonment after she sexually exploited a child, recorded the sexually explicit conduct and then distributed it to a co-offender, with whom she had a relationship.
Alexandria Marie Wright, 32, of Moapa, Nevada, pleaded guilty in June 2025 to production of child pornography.
In addition to Wright’s term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, sentenced Wright to a lifetime of supervised release.
According to court documents and admissions made at Wright’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, beginning on an unknown date and continuing through October 31, 2021, in the District of Utah, Wright began exchanging sexual messages and media with her co-conspirator. In the fall of 2021, Wright and her co-conspirator met to have consensual sex and discussed sexually abusing a child, to whom Wright had access to. On Halloween, Wright brought a four-year-old victim that she knew to her co-conspirator, and they sexually abused the child for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the abuse. The co-conspirator was arrested on August 7, 2024 in Kansas, which led to the recovery of sexually explicit images of the child, and the instant prosecution.
“These unthinkable acts will not go unanswered,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Child predators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. It is our hope that the victim and the victim’s family can move forward knowing justice is served against Wright and that she is removed from society and away from preying on other children.”
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Lola Police Department in Lola, Kansas.
Assistant United States Christopher Burton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
District of Utah Recognizes National Human Trafficking Prevention MonthRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Today the District of Utah observes National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and joins the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) in reaffirming the administration’s commitment to combating all forms of human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors. Human Trafficking Prevention Month presents an opportunity for DHS and DOJ, through Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF) to intensify operational efforts, raise public awareness, and strengthen partnerships across federal, state, and local agencies to disrupt trafficking networks, protect vulnerable individuals, and ensure traffickers are brought to justice.
“This Department of Justice is working tirelessly alongside our partners to dismantle human trafficking networks, help survivors, and protect vulnerable populations from being exploited,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under this administration we have seen an increase in human trafficking prosecutions, and during Human Trafficking Prevention Month we reaffirm our commitment to prosecuting traffickers and encourage Americans to report instances of human trafficking in their communities.”
“Through the Homeland Security Task Force, President Trump is taking the fight directly to human trafficking networks and disrupting their modern-day slave trade while seizing their assets and arresting their kingpins and foot soldiers. The American people should not have to live in fear of cartels, gang bangers, and foreign terrorists preying upon the most vulnerable among us,” the United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement. “The Homeland Security Task Force is the largest coordinated campaign against transnational criminal organizations in U.S. history, and I’m proud to co-lead it with Attorney General Bondi.”
“During Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the FBI reiterates our work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and national victim-based advocacy groups in joint task forces to protect our communities across the country,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “The horrifying reach of human trafficking spreads far and wide. Homeland Security Task Forces are fighting back to disrupt these perilous networks and put a stop to that reach. The FBI will continue our investigations and bring justice to those exploited by human traffickers.
“Human traffickers live among our communities throughout the nation, and Utah is not immune to these types of crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “As with this administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to combat the evils of human trafficking. Along with our law enforcement partners, we reaffirm our commitment to investigate and prosecute these horrific crimes and hold these traffickers accountable.”
In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Section 6 of this order directed the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to jointly establish HSTFs in every state nationwide. The HSTF objective is to end the presence of criminal cartels, foreign gangs, and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) throughout the United States; dismantle cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks; end the scourge of human smuggling and trafficking, with a particular focus on such offenses involving children; and ensure the use of all available law enforcement tools to faithfully execute the immigration laws of the United States.
Since January 20, 2025, in the District of Utah:
- Bobby Antwone Jones was indicted in September 2025. Jones is charged with transporting a minor to engage sexual activity, sex trafficking of children, production of child pornography and sale of child pornography. A four-day jury trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, in the District of Utah.
- Aaron Kern was indicted for sex trafficking charges in March 2025. He pleaded guilty to attempted transportation for purposes of prostitution. His sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2026, in the District of Utah. See prior press release: Southern Utah Man Facing Sex Trafficking Charges.
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to review human trafficking cases and is committed to charging individuals that exploit victims of human trafficking.
In January 2026, DHS and DOJ are surging resources to fight and raise awareness about human trafficking, including:
- Identifying ongoing investigations and prioritizing featured operations across 45 federal locations and 10 state locations with an emphasis on border states.
- Coordinating with FBI Human Trafficking Squads and multi-agency Human Trafficking Task Forces to conduct victim recovery.
- Partnering with AMTRAK and FAMS to increase law enforcement resources and distribute posters with QR codes for reporting human trafficking in all station bathrooms and trains.
- Running advertisements related to $250 million recovery from Backpage to distribute to victims and additional victim restitution efforts by DOL-OIG.
- Organizing Human Trafficking seminars and outreach events with DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking at high schools and colleges to highlight the role of HSTFs in addressing human trafficking.
On August 25, 2025, HSTF officially launched its effort to protect the Homeland with a September Surge encompassing 400 operations nationwide. In just 43 days, HSTF nationwide operations resulted in 3,266 arrests and seizures including:
- 1,041 Sinaloa members,
- 856 Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (“CJNG”) members,
- 641 MS-13 members,
- 456 Tren de Aragua members,
- 1,067 weapons
- More than $3,250,000 in currency
- Approximately 91 metric tons of narcotics
Alleged Bank Robber Facing Federal Charges in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A West Jordan, Utah, resident was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with a violent crime after he allegedly walked into a bank, threatened the teller with a note, and left with cash.
Michael Grant Robinson, 36, of West Jordan, Utah, was charged by complaint on January 13, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, and surveillance video, on January 12, 2026, a suspect with a distinctive face tattoo, later identified as Robinson, entered a bank in West Jordan and handed the bank teller a threatening note that read “I gotta weapon need $1000.” The bank teller complied and gave Robinson $140.00, in $20 bills. Robinson took the money and left the bank. Within 30 minutes, law enforcement identified Robinson walking on the sidewalk a half mile from the bank wearing the same clothing and having the same distinctive face tattoo as depicted in the surveillance video from the robbery. Law enforcement recovered the money at a nearby restaurant after Robinson ordered a meal and left a $120 tip.
Robinson is charged with bank robbery. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for January 22, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Former IRS Employee Sentenced to 12 Months and a Day in Prison Following a More than $2M Financial Fraud SchemeRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Rodney Quinn Rupe, 47, of Syracuse, Utah, was sentenced to 12 months and a day imprisonment for wire fraud after he abused his position as a former IRS employee and attempted to steal more than $2 million in tax credits.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Howard C. Nielson, comes after Rupe pleaded guilty on June 11, 2025, to wire fraud. The court also sentenced Rupe to two years of supervised release.
According to court documents and admissions made at Rupe’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on April 15, 2022, Rupe, an employee of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, accessed the IRS systems and moved tax credits in the amount of $2,021,986 from ExxonMobil’s taxpayer account to a taxpayer account for Ex XO Exteriors Ltd., a company Rupe created and controlled. He admitted that he moved the tax credits through three separate transfers, each of which used interstate wires. On September 18, 2023, Rupe transferred the tax credits so they would be applied to the 2019 tax year account for his company, knowing it would result in a refund check to Ex XO Exteriors Ltd. On October 31, 2023, Rupe resigned from the IRS and unsuccessfully attempted to deposit the refund check multiple times in 2024, and was subsequently arrested. See prior press release: Former IRS Employee Accused of Attempting to Steal More than $2M from the Government and ExxonMobil.
“As a former IRS employee, Mr. Rupe accessed an IRS database as a trusted government employee to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars for his own personal use,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “This administration is committed to ferreting out programmatic government fraud, particularly by those who abused their positions rather than protecting the Americans they swore to serve.”
The case was investigated by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
Assistant United States Attorney Carl D. LeSueur of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Southern Utah Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Wire Fraud that Cost Investors Millions of DollarsRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Brian Garry Sewell, 54, of Washington County, Utah, was sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment, followed by 36 months of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to wire fraud that cost investors over $2.9 million. Additionally, in a separate case (4:24cr54), Sewell admitted that he operated an unlicensed money transmitting business where bulk cash was converted into crypto currency. In that case, he was also sentenced to 36 months’ imprisonment and 36 months of supervised release.
Sewell’s two sentences will run concurrently with each other for a total of three years imprisonment. In addition to his term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, ordered Sewell to pay $3,605,182 in restitution to defrauded investors, a mortgage lender, and a credit union in case number 4:24cr55. He was also ordered to pay $217,727 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in case number 4:24cr54.
According to court documents and admissions made at Sewell’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, Sewell participated in a scheme from December 2017 to April 2024, in Utah and elsewhere, to defraud others by obtaining victims’ money and cryptocurrency. Sewell obtained money from at least 17 investors by lying about his experience, education, and ability to generate large returns. As a result, Sewell’s fraudulent behavior led to him obtaining over $2.9 million.
Additionally, from March 2020 to September 2020, in the District of Utah and elsewhere, Sewell managed Rockwell Capital Management, an unlicensed money transmitting business, without registering it as required by law. Sewell and his company converted bulk cash to cryptocurrency on behalf of third parties, including criminals engaged in fraud and drug trafficking. Sewell charged the third parties a fee for each transaction. In total, he converted over $5.4 million to cryptocurrency. He did so without complying with federal laws designed to prevent the movement of illicit funds. See prior press release: Two Washington County Residents Indicted after Allegedly Operating an Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks our federal partners, and prosecutors for their hard work on this investigation and commitment to holding individuals like Sewell accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak. “My office is committed to stopping criminals from using our financial system to move dirty money. And we will continue to prosecute those who ignore statutes designed to stop the flow of illicit funds.”
“This sentencing brings to an end a multi-million-dollar investment fraud scheme that used the operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business to defraud investors out of millions and steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the federal government,” said IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Jarom Gregory. “When this type of scheme emerges, all Americans are affected. Investors are victimized, taxpayers are defrauded, and dirty money is easily moved through the financial system with no scrutiny. IRS-CI will continue to investigate unlicensed money transmitting businesses and bring these fraudsters to justice.”
“Fraud schemes like this don’t just involve financial losses—they shatter trust and upend lives,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “Sewell preyed on his victims by lying about his experience and promising returns he could not deliver, leaving individuals and families to bear the consequences of his deception. The FBI will continue to put victims first by holding offenders accountable and pursuing those who misuse cryptocurrency and unlicensed financial services to exploit others.”
“Homeland Security Investigations remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system. This case demonstrates that those who exploit unlicensed financial services and defraud investors will be held accountable,” said Homeland Security Investigations Denver Special Agent in Charge Steve Cagen. “Working alongside our federal partners, HSI will continue to pursue individuals who attempt to move illicit funds and undermine public trust. We are dedicated to ensuring that criminals cannot use our financial system to profit from deception.”
The case was investigated jointly by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen P. Dent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Eden Man Indicted on Possession and Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah man was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with a drug crime after he allegedly possessed and attempted to distribute methamphetamine in the District of Utah.
Christopher Eric Johnson, 40, of Eden, Utah, was charged by complaint on January 2, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, in November 2025, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), and the Unified Police Department (UPD) began investigating Johnson after information was received that Johnson was selling kilograms of methamphetamine. The investigation revealed, Johnson was communicating directly with a cartel member in Mexico to arrange for kilogram quantity shipments of methamphetamine to be sent to Utah. On November 18, 2025, a cooperating defendant from a separate drug arrest contacted Johnson asking for a quarter pound of methamphetamine and they agreed to meet in Midvale, Utah. Detectives conducted surveillance waiting for Johnson to arrive. Subsequently, he was taken into custody and law enforcement seized clear bags containing a crystal-like substance, which field tested positive for methamphetamine.
Johnson is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment was before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Unified Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant United States Attorney Vernon G. Stejskal of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The case was investigated by agents and officers of the HSTF Salt Lake and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Serial Sex Offender Sentenced to 48 Years in PrisonRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Brent Richard Johnson, 52, of Cedar Hills, Utah, was sentenced to 579 months’ imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release after he produced and possessed a sexually explicit video of a 10-year-old girl.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Howard C. Nielson Jr., comes after Johnson was found guilty by a federal jury in August 2025.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between approximately August and November 2013, Johnson used his iPhone to record himself sexually abusing a 10-year-old minor victim while she was sleeping. Years later, the videos were found by law enforcement on a backup of an iPhone on Mr. Johnson’s computer. Separately in a state case, Johnson was convicted of three counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and sentenced to three terms of 15-years to life in prison, to run consecutively to each other.
“This 48-year sentence justly reflects the horrific harm that Johnson caused to the ten-year old victim that he repeatedly sexually abused,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “There is no greater priority for my office and the Department of Justice than protecting innocent children from predators like Mr. Johnson. I am grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners for their excellent investigative work and commitment to stopping those who exploit children.”
“The Utah County Sheriff's Office is grateful to have been involved in this investigation with our state, local, and federal partners,” said Sergeant Ray Ormond of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. “We are especially grateful to the victim in this case for their courage in coming forward and seeking justice against Mr. Johnson.”
"Johnson’s sentencing is a clear indication of the seriousness of his crimes,” said Homeland Security Investigations Denver Special Agent in Charge Steve Cagen. “I commend all those who investigated and brought to prosecution this heinous act. HSI agents will never relent when it comes to bringing justice to those who would steal the innocence of children.”
The federal case was investigated jointly by the American Fork Police Department, the Utah County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorneys Carol A. Dain and Joey L. Blanch of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Utah Child Predator Sentenced to 180 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Austin Riley Jensen, 33, of Hurricane, Utah, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for producing and receiving child sexual abuse material involving a 15-year-old victim. Jensen was also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, comes after Jensen admitted on August 25, 2025, to the production and receipt of child pornography.
According to court documents and admissions made at Jensen’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, law enforcement found communications between Jensen and an individual on federal supervised release in Las Vegas, Nevada, which occurred between October 2022 and December 2022, containing images of child sexual abuse material and conversations about sexual interactions with a 15-year-old victim. Jensen admitted he coerced the minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct, which he recorded and that he had received images of child sexual abuse material from the federal supervisee in Las Vegas. Pursuant to a federal search warrant executed on Jensen’s residence, FBI agents seized multiple electronic devices belonging to Jensen, that stored multiple images of child sexual abuse material.
“The safety of our community, especially child victims, is a priority of this administration and my office,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Anyone who preys on the most vulnerable among us will be investigated by our federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners and aggressively prosecuted.”
“While no courtroom can undo the past, the sentence honors the courage and stolen innocence of the child impacted by this heinous crime,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. "The FBI remains unwavering in our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us and will never stop pursuing justice for our children."
The case was investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, St. George Resident Agency and FBI Las Vegas, Nevada, Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Brady Wilson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Utah Brothers Sentenced to Prison for Drug and Money Laundering Crimes that Involved the Distribution of “Bath Salts” in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - One of two brothers that led a large drug trafficking organization was sentenced on January 7, 2026, to 96 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Mountazar Altalibi, 36, of Salt Lake County, Utah, was sentenced nearly a month after his brother, Jaafar Altalibi, 44, of Salt Lake County was sentenced to the same sentence, for a combined 16 years’ imprisonment.
The two sentences, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ted Stewart, comes after Mountazar and Jaafar distributed Alpha-Pyrrolidinohexanophenone, commonly referred to as “Alpha PHP,” or “bath salts,” out of two Utah businesses for several years and made hundreds of thousands of dollars from their drug trafficking crimes. The two brothers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute α-Pyrrolidinohexanophenone (α-PHP), and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
In addition to their terms of imprisonment, and supervised release, the court ordered the defendants to forfeit millions of dollars in assets including multiple residential and commercial properties, vehicles, businesses, jewelry, and other high-end personal property.
According to court documents and statements made at the Altalibi brothers’ change of plea and sentencing hearings, beginning in May 2020 through August 17, 2022, Mountazar and Jaafar Altalibi, imported and received “bath salts” from a foreign supplier and sold them to others for profit. The Altalibi brothers distributed the “bath salts” to each other and coconspirators, many of whom have already pleaded guilty and been sentenced, who then redistributed the “bath salts” on behalf of the Altalibi brothers. See prior press release: Alleged Drug Trafficking Ring Leader and Utah Business Owner Behind Bars Following Massive Narcotics Bust.
Mountazar and Jaafar Altalibi further admitted that between November 2011 and August 2022, they assisted in the money laundering of drug proceeds by receiving cash from customers and supplying them with “bath salts.” The Altalibi brothers then used the proceeds of the distribution of the “bath salts” to reinvest in their distribution network by acquiring more “bath salts,” and to finance their lifestyle and homes. Jaafar also paid for and supplied his business, Smokers Haven, with the drug proceeds.
“Protecting our communities and prosecuting drug traffickers is a priority of this administration and my office,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Criminals who import and distribute bath salts or any other type of illegal and deadly substance will be held accountable.”
“The DEA and the Salt Lake City Metro Narcotics Task (MNTF) will continue to investigate any person or organization selling illegal substances that cause harm,” said Miguel Chino, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Rocky Mountain Field Division Salt Lake Office. “It doesn’t matter whether it is bath salts, methamphetamine, or cocaine – the DEA and MNTF will continue to track down and arrest drug traffickers, and seize illegal controlled substances and narcotics proceeds.”
The case was investigated jointly by the DEA Metro Narcotics Task Force, made up of officers from the DEA, Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake/Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, West Valley City Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Special assistance was provided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Utah Department of Public Safety, Tooele Police Department, Sandy Police Department, South Jordan Police Department, Murray Police Department, Salt Lake City Police Department, Park City Police Department, and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
United States Attorneys Seth Nielsen, and Vernon G. Stejskal of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case. United States Attorney Travis Elder litigated the forfeiture case.
Southern Utah Man Sentenced for Damaging ICE Transit VanRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Ryan Michael Gaines, 32, of Santa Clara, Utah, was sentenced today to 36 months’ probation for damaging an ICE Transit Van in April 2025. He was also ordered to pay $2,883.20 in restitution to the United States Department of Homeland Security, which was ordered due at the time of sentencing.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Alle, comes after Gaines admitted on October 9, 2025, to willfully damaging government property, a federal felony.
According to court documents and admissions made at Gaines’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, Gaines, who was also captured on surveillance video on April 18, 2025, approached and damaged an ICE Transit Van at the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE ERO) Office in St. George. Gaines ripped pieces from the passenger and driver’s side mirrors. See prior release: Southern Utah Man Arrested and Charged after Allegedly Damaging an ICE Transit Van.
“Gaines’ conduct is yet another example of an attempt to threaten and obstruct our federal officers tasked with the difficult and multi-faceted duty of enforcing our Nation’s immigration laws,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Any threat made on any law enforcement will be taken seriously and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
"The defendant's actions were intentional and calculated," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. "No officer or public servant should have to fear for their safety simply for doing their job. Intimidation and violence aimed at those who serve our communities will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted."
The case was investigated jointly by St. George Police Department and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, St. George Resident Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Brady Wilson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Somali National Sentenced After Impersonating Deceased Mother to Obtain over $25,000 in Social Security FundsRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Muna Abdi, 36, a Somali national living in Millcreek, Utah, was sentenced today to 12 months’ probation and ordered to pay $25,638.61 in restitution. She was sentenced for impersonating her deceased mother in order to keep Social Security benefits flowing to her mother’s account, even though her mother died in 2021 and was no longer entitled to Social Security benefits.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow, comes after Abdi pleaded guilty to conversion of government funds on September 29, 2025.
According to court documents, from November 1, 2021, to about June 30, 2024, Abdi converted funds from the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) for her own benefit. The SSA, who was not aware of Abdi’s mother’s death, continued to disperse funds to her Social Security account, to which Abdi had access. For over three years, Abdi fraudulently withdrew at least $25,638.61 in government funds. She admitted to withdrawing the funds regularly through cash-back purchases and ATM withdrawals. She further admitted to impersonating her deceased mother in correspondences with the SSA and in person at the SSA field office.
“For years, Ms. Abdi stole funds intended for qualifying disabled and retired individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “My office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure justice is done when individuals defraud government programs putting critical benefit funds at risk.”
“Ms. Abdi wrongfully converted her late mother’s Supplemental Security Income payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA) for personal gain,” said John McLeod, Special Agent-in-Charge of the SSA Office of the Inspector General, Cooperative Disability Investigations – Western Field Division. “I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their collaboration in holding her accountable and reinforcing that Social Security fraud will not be tolerated.”
The case is being investigated by the Social Security Administration Cooperative Disability Investigations Unit (SSA-CDIU) in Salt Lake City.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Sachiko J. Jepson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
Utah Ringleader of COVID-19 Scheme Sentenced to PrisonRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –Halee Ann Mehlbauer, 40, of Tooele, Utah, was sentenced today to 15 months’ imprisonment after she fraudulently obtained approximately $177,030 in COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans, along with her codefendant, Timothy Lopez, which they did not qualify for. She was also sentenced to two years’ supervised release and ordered by the court to pay $177,030 in restitution, of which $48,507 is to be paid jointly with Lopez.
The COVID-19 PPP Loans were provided to small businesses for funding to meet specific obligations, including payroll and rent during the pandemic.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow, comes after Mehlbaurer pleaded guilty on September 24, 2025, to wire fraud and money laundering. Her codefendant, Lopez was sentenced to time served.
According to court documents and statements made at Mehlbauer’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, beginning about July 15, 2020, and continuing to about January 15, 2022, Mehlbauer engaged in a Paycheck Protection Program Loan scheme and fraudulently obtained money through small lenders and the Small Businiss Administration. She did so by providing false information on multiple PPP-Loan and other lender applications and provided supporting documents in the name of nonexistent businesses. Mehlbauer knowingly defrauded the PPP Loan Program alone of at least $177,030. See prior press release: Utah Residents Accused of Running a COVID-19 Relief Fraud Scheme Face Federal Charges.
Once approved for PPP Loan funds, Mehlbauer and her codefendant, Timothy Lopez, used the funds on personal expenses such as gambling, debt payments, car rental payments, and other miscellaneous expenses that were not related to any authorized payroll expenses for any of their alleged businesses.
“Every dollar that Mehlbauer received in PPP-Loan funds was taxpayer money,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Mehlbauer fraudulently obtained funds meant for honest business owners faced with weathering the storm of a global pandemic and her fraud will not go unpunished. It is our hope her sentence deters others from taking advantage of government programs.”
“The defendants helped themselves to funds intended for small businesses struggling to stay in business during the COVID pandemic,” said SBA OIG’s Western Region Acting Special Agent in Charge Tim Larson. “SBA OIG and its law enforcement partners will continue to diligently protect the integrity of the SBA and its programs designed to strengthen small businesses and the economy of the United States. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and pursuit of justice.”
"Driven by greed, these defendants defrauded the government, unlawfully diverting funds that were meant to support struggling small business owners and workers during a national emergency," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. "The FBI is committed to holding accountable those who exploit government resources for personal profit at the expense of those in need."
“This sentencing demonstrates the commitment of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to investigate and bring to justice those who victimize the American taxpayer,” said Krystofor Proev, TIGTA Special Agent-in-Charge. “Fraudulently applying for loans through a federal program meant to assist Americans in need will be met with aggressive investigation and prosecution. I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their commitment to this goal.”
The Utah Federal COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force investigated the case, which includes Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Office of Inspector General’s U.S. Small Business Administration – Office of Inspector General (SBA-OIG), Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG), and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA). The public is encouraged to share information about the abuse of the Paycheck Protection Program or other SBA programs by submitting a complaint here.
Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division's prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.Utah Man Indicted after Fraudulently Obtaining over $1M in Social Security Benefits and Private Insurance Policy BenefitsRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –A Salt Lake County man was indicted by a federal grand jury for wire fraud and mail fraud, among other federal crimes, after he allegedly assumed a different person’s identity to fraudulently obtain the person’s Social Security benefits and private insurance policy benefits for approximately 20 years.
Terry Lynn Reynolds, 69, of West Jordan, Utah, allegedly obtained of over $1 million in Social Security and private insurance benefits.
According to court documents, beginning on or about November 8, 2004, and continuing to about June 13, 2025, Reynolds allegedly executed a scheme to assume the identity of Person 1, who received disability income from a private insurance policy (Company 1) and Social Security benefits from the United States Social Security Administration (SSA) to obtain that money for himself. Reynolds had access to Person 1’s name, Social Security Number, and alleged signature. Under Person 1’s stolen identity, Reynolds obtained over $1 million from the SSA and Company 1.
Court documents allege that as part of the scheme, Reynolds corresponded on multiple occasions with the SSA and Company 1. Until about March 2025, Reynolds continued to operate under Person 1’s identity to fraudulently obtain Person 1’s benefits.
Reynolds is charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, theft of government property, and aggravated identity theft. His initial appearance on the indictment is January 13, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA OIG), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the West Jordan Police Department.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Sachiko J. Jepson of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Illegal Honduran National Indicted on Drug and Immigration Crimes in Utah after Law Enforcement Allegedly Seized 21,000 Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An undocumented Honduran national living in the United States illegally, was remanded into federal custody following his initial appearance on drug and immigration crimes.
Norlan Guillermo Andino-Torres, 33, of Honduras, who has been living in West Jordan, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 10, 2025, after he allegedly sold law enforcement fentanyl during a controlled buy, and after they seized approximately 21,000 fentanyl pills during the execution of a search warrant.
According to court documents, during the first week of December 2025, FBI agents conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Andino-Torres, which field-tested positive for the presence of fentanyl. Subsequently, on December 4, 2025, his vehicle and residence in West Jordan were searched pursuant to a search warrant. Agents seized 1,131 grams of fentanyl (approximately 11,000 pills) from his vehicle. Agents also seized an additional 1,043 grams of fentanyl (approximately 10,000 pills) from his residence. Andino-Torres was taken into custody. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Andino-Torres, has been removed from the United States on six prior occasions dating back to 2012.
Andino-Torres is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and reentry of a previously removed alien. A three-day jury trial is scheduled for February 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 3.1. before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force, the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
San Juan County Man Sentenced to 180 Months in Prison for Murder and Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Perry Maryboy, 61, of Bluff, Utah, was sentenced today to 180 months’ imprisonment, and a term of two years’ supervised release after he admitted to second degree murder.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby, comes after Maryboy was originally convicted by a federal grand jury. Following an appeal reversing his guilty verdict, Maryboy pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree while within Indian Country, and use, carry, and discharge of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to court documents and statements made at Maryboy’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, Maryboy unlawfully shot and killed another man while within the Navajo Nation on April 13, 2018. Maryboy admitted he was parked on the side of the road, in his truck and using his phone, south of Bluff, Utah, when he was confronted by the victim at his passenger window. An argument ensued and Maryboy exited his truck, retrieved a revolver from the backseat, loaded the revolver, and shot the victim in the back of the head as the victim was leaving. The victim died on scene in front of his common law wife and her 7-year-old child. Maryboy then fled the scene in his truck.
“Our sympathies in this case are with the victim’s family who suffered this horrific tragedy,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Mr. Maryboy acted with utter disregard for human life when he shot the victim in front of his family. The impact of this violent crime cannot be undone, but it is our hope that the victim’s family can find some peace with this case now closed.”
“What began as a confrontation escalated into a senseless act of violence,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. “The consequences of that choice will be carried by the victim’s family and loved ones for years to come. Our community is safer with this offender in prison.”
The case was investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office’s Monticello Resident Agency, Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Nation Criminal Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Y. Hirata, Angela M. Reddish-Day, and Stephen P. Dent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Minnesota Residents Charged After Allegedly Trafficking 150 Pounds of Methamphetamine through the District of UtahRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A federal judge remanded two Minnesota residents into federal custody today during their arraignment hearings for alleged drug crimes after law enforcement allegedly seized 150 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in October 2025.
Guy Francis Bloomquist, 66, of Fridley, Minnesota, and Leslie Elisabeth Gordon, 45, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, were indicted by a federal grand jury on December 9, 2025.
According to court documents, on October 19, 2025, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Caravan for a window tint violation on I-15 in Millard County, Utah. After interacting with the occupants of the vehicle, identified as Bloomquist and Gordon, the trooper deployed a narcotic detection K-9, which indicated to the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle. A search of the vehicle was conducted and troopers located and seized 53 packages in plastic wrapping totaling approximately 150 pounds of methamphetamine. Bloomquist and Gordon were placed in custody and taken to the Millard County Jail.
Bloomquist and Gordon are charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. A two-day jury trial is scheduled for February 24, 2026, in courtroom 2B 206 in St. George.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Utah Department of Public Safety, State Bureau of Investigation (DPS-SBI) and the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP).
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Hood of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Cedar City Property Manager Sentenced to Prison After Defrauding Victims of over $2.1MRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Blake Floyd Cozzens, 36, of Cedar City, Utah, was sentenced today to 25 months’ imprisonment for wire fraud and bank fraud for embezzling money from homeowners associations, property owners, and tenants, as well as fraudulently obtaining money from a bank and a company that provided property-management software.
In addition to Cozzens’s term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby, imposed a term of four years of supervised release and ordered he pay $2,168,640 in restitution to the victims.
According to court documents and admissions made at Cozzens’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, from January 2020 to January 2025, Cozzens was the property manager for multiple HOAs and property owners in Iron County, Utah. Cozzens defrauded HOAs, property owners, and tenants by embezzling $586,300 he was responsible for safekeeping and diverting the funds for his own use. He also submitted fraudulent deposits to an online application that helps manage properties. The California corporation that offers the application lost $210,000 due to Cozzens’s fraudulent conduct.
Cozzens also defrauded a bank in Las Vegas by presenting seven cashier’s checks totaling $1,414,000 to Las Vegas casinos in exchange for markers, i.e., credits to gamble. After gambling, Cozzens then falsely reported to the bank that he had lost the checks, causing the bank to stop payments to the casinos. Cozzens caused the bank to lose $1,395,673.
“For over five years, Cozzens abused his position as a property manager to steal and cheat people and businesses to fund his gambling lifestyle,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “As homeowners struggle with affordability, the last thing they need to worry about is that their hard-earned money paid to HOAs will be stolen from those entrusted to serve them.”
“When individuals in trusted roles commit financial crimes, they harm the very communities they are meant to serve. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to investigate fraud and ensure justice for victims,” stated Glen Henderson, Inspector in Charge of the Phoenix Division.
The case was investigated jointly by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Cedar City Police Department, and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen P. Dent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
South Carolina Man Charged for Fraudulently Selling Millions of Dollars’ Worth of “Discounted” Ski and Snowboard Passes in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jonathan Rembert, 41, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for financial crimes after he allegedly participated in a fraud scheme that sold ski and snowboard passes, including Ikon and Epic passes, to skiers and snowboarders in Utah. The passes were purchased at full price for skiers via stolen credit cards; the skiers in turn paid Rembert and others a “discounted” price via online payments.
The Epic Pass is a mountain resort access pass sold by Vail Resorts, Inc., which has forty-two mountain resorts throughout the world, including Park City Mountain Resort, in Park City, Utah. The Ikon Pass is a mountain resort access pass sold by Alterra Mountain Company. Alterra is the parent company of Solitude Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort, which are both located in Utah. The Ikon Pass sold by Alterra offers purchasers access to the following Utah resorts: Alta Ski Resort, Brighton Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Snowbasin Resort, Snowbird, and Solitude Mountain Resort. (See indictment for details.)
According to court documents, from approximately November 2020 to May 2024, members of the scheme placed targeted online advertisements in Utah and elsewhere, offering “discounted” ski and snowboard passes. Members of the scheme would then communicate directly with individuals who responded to the online advertisements, or who, in some instances were prior customers or referred by others, through text and other online communication.
Prior to receiving payment from the pass purchasers, members of the scheme would obtain and use the purchasers’ personal information to establish or access accounts through the online portals of individual resorts, Alterra (Ikon Pass), and Vail Resorts (Epic Pass). After obtaining access, ski and snowboard passes were purchased at full price using other individuals’ stolen bank card information. The stolen bank card information was obtained and shared between coconspirators prior to the full price purchases being made and without the pass purchasers’ knowledge of the fraud. As a result, the fraudulently purchased ski and snowboard passes were delivered to the pass purchasers, both electronically and in some instances via the United States Postal Service.
As part of the scheme, after purchasing the ski and snowboard passes at full price using stolen bank card information, the coconspirators would resume communication with the pass purchasers to confirm the purchases and request payment of a negotiated “discount” price through peer-to-peer apps such as Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, and Apple Pay. The money went directly into the accounts of Rembert and his coconspirators. The fraudulent funds were then distributed between him and others for personal use.
Individuals whose stolen bank card information was used to purchase ski and snowboard passes at full price challenged the transactions as fraudulent, resulting in large scale “charge backs” born by various mountain resorts, including Altera and Vail Resorts, when the funds were returned to the bank card holders. Many of the ski and snowboard passes obtained by pass purchasers were cancelled as a result of the “charge backs” and fraud. As a result, the scheme resulted in millions of dollars of loss.
Rembert is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, possession of fifteen or more unauthorized access devices, and aggravated identity theft. His initial appearance on the charges is January 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
“For generations, Utah’s families have enjoyed the greatest snow on earth at our renowned ski resorts,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “The alleged fraud targeted local skiers, snowboarders, and resorts and we intend to seek justice for those victims. We are grateful to the law enforcement agencies that had the foresight to investigate and present this case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution.”
"The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is charged with safeguarding the U.S. Mail against criminal exploitation,” said Glen Henderson, Inspector in Charge of the Phoenix Division. “When this mission is challenged, Postal Inspectors conduct thorough investigations and remain resolute in pursuing justice. This case serves as a reminder to be cautious of offers that seem ‘too good to be true,’ particularly those which require payment through peer-to-peer applications.”
“Investigating fraud cases is crucial in protecting and maintaining trust in our communities. The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is committed to holding those who take advantage of our ski resorts and patrons accountable,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera. “This is one of the largest fraud cases that the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office has investigated and is attributed to the ongoing partnership with our federal agencies and committed detectives who work hard every day to ensure our canyons are safe to enjoy our annual ski season.”This case is being investigated jointly by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Woolf and Luisa Gough of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Attachments:
rembert_indictment.pdfSouth Carolina Woman Admits to Multi-Year Ski/Snowboard Pass Scam in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A South Carolina woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after she fraudulently sold “discounted” ski and snowboard passes, including Ikon, Epic, and other passes used at various Utah mountain resorts. In return, she received money through electronic payments, which she shared with her coconspirators.
Jamilla Greene, 34, of Fort Mill, South Carolina, was charged by felony information on December 1, 2025.
According to court documents, beginning in November 2020 and continuing through May 2024, Greene worked with others to obtain money by fraudulently selling “discounted” Ikon and Epic ski and snowboard passes, as well as individual resort passes. Ikon passes are offered through Alterra Mountain Company and allow access to winter resorts worldwide, including the following Utah locations: Deer Valley, Solitude Mountain, Brighton, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, and Snowbasin. Epic passes, offered through Vail Resorts, Inc. likewise offer access to resorts throughout the world, including Park City. None of these resorts authorized Greene to sell “discounted” passes.
As part of the scheme, Greene and her coconspirators advertised “discounted” passes through targeted online postings in locations where ski resorts are located, including Utah. When individuals would respond to the advertisements, Greene communicated with them online and via text to gather necessary information, including names and addresses, for the purchase of ski passes. Once personal information was collected, Greene would use different bank card information to purchase ski passes at full price, knowing that bank card information was stolen and did not belong to the individuals to whom she was selling the “discounted” ski passes.
Upon purchase of the full price ski passes with the stolen cards, Greene would communicate again with the “discounted” ski pass purchasers to secure and direct payment through electronic platforms such as Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, and Apple Pay. Greene then took the money and deposited it directly into her and her coconspirators’ accounts.
Greene is scheduled to be sentenced February 24, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
“This multi-year, multimillion-dollar scheme not only victimized Utah ski resorts, skiers and snowboarders, and individuals whose bank card information was stolen, but could impact the trust of snow enthusiasts who seek passes annually to visit our resorts,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Fraud in any form will not be tolerated, and it is my priority to continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute the individuals involved and seek justice for the victims.”
“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s mission includes defending the nation’s mail system from illegal use. Postal Inspectors investigate those who utilize the U.S. Mail to carry out fraud schemes for their own financial gain. I thank the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office for their partnership in this case,” said Glen Henderson, Inspector in Charge of the Phoenix Division.
“The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s office is committed to working and partnering with our federal agencies to ensure cases of this magnitude are investigated and the accused are held accountable for the crimes they committed,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera. “This is the largest case of fraud that the Sheriff’s office has investigated since reinstating our Law Enforcement Bureau.”This case is being investigated jointly by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Woolf and Luisa Gough of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
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jamilla_greene_sap.pdfNevada Man Sentenced to Prison for 17 Years after Distributing Fentanyl, Resulting in Death of a Utah ResidentRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Bryan Walter McMahan, 41, of Las Vegas, Nevada was sentenced today to 204 months’ imprisonment after he distributed fentanyl by mailing a package of oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to a Utah woman, who died after ingesting the narcotic.
Following McMahan’s term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow imposed a term of three years’ supervised release and ordered him to pay $8,888.74 in restitution to the victim’s family.
According to court documents and statements made at McMahan’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on October 7, 2023, McMahan went to a post office in Las Vegas and mailed an envelope addressed to the victim with at least four pills containing fentanyl. Over the next three days, McMahan and the victim exchanged multiple text messages as the victim awaited the arrival of the package. On October 10, 2023, the package arrived and on the following day, McMahan attempted to reach out to the victim multiple times. Ultimately, the victim was found deceased inside her room. The padded mailing envelope bearing McMahan’s name, return address and tracking number that he provided the victim were next to her body. Underneath the victim, law enforcement located three small blue pills later confirmed to contain fentanyl.
“A young woman lost her life as a result of reckless criminal conduct, and no amount of imprisonment can change the course of that tragic outcome,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. It is important to remember that just one pill can kill. There is no way of knowing what controlled substances are contained in counterfeit pharmaceuticals for sale on the illicit market. My office will continue, along with our law enforcement partners, to vigorously prosecute those who are willing to distribute poison into our communities.”
“At DEA, our goal is a Fentanyl Free America. Every day, our men and women are confronting drug dealers and the Cartels they’re connected with,” said Miguel Chino, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rocky Mountain Division - Utah Office. “Our sincere thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah, for prosecuting this case and to our fellow law enforcement partners. We’ll continue to aggressively pursue those who are peddling this poison into our communities.”
“Any loss of life in our community is heartbreaking, and our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and loved ones. Our Detectives assigned to the DEA Fentanyl Overdose Death Task Force were committed to uncovering the truth behind this tragedy and identifying those responsible,” said Lieutenant Clint Bobrowski of the Layton City Police Department. “The Layton City Police Department values our partnership with Federal Law Enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and remain steadfast in our dedication to pursuing justice and holding individuals accountable when their actions contribute to these devastating outcomes.”
The case was investigated jointly by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Layton City Police Department.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.