District of Utah
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Woman Charged with Health Care Fraud After Submitting False Claims to Utah Medicaid and Receiving Millions in PayoutRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging Jazzamin Clark with health care fraud after she allegedly submitted fraudulent claims to Utah Medicaid for therapy services that were either not rendered; rendered by unqualified, unlicensed providers; or non-covered therapy services. This resulted in Utah Medicaid paying over $4 million in claims.
According to allegations in court documents, from July 2024 through October 2025, Jazzamin Tashay Clark, 43, of Salt Lake City, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada, allegedly defrauded the federal health care benefit program, Medicaid, to obtain money for her own financial benefit.
Medicaid receives both federal and state funding and is intended to provide health care benefits to indigent individuals, including certain people who are aged, blind, disabled, or have dependent children. The Medicaid program in Utah is overseen and administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and Utah Medicaid.
As alleged, Clark established businesses purportedly to treat individuals facing substance abuse use disorder in Salt Lake City. In order to obtain federal funds, she recruited Medicaid-eligible beneficiaries, often drawn from people experiencing homelessness, and claimed to provide them with Medicaid-reimbursable services. Medicaid claims are required to include, among other things, the National Provider Identifier (NPI) number for the healthcare provider who ordered, supervised, or performed the billed services. Clark caused Medicaid to be billed for therapy and other services under the NPI numbers for several out-of-state providers, many of whom were unqualified to provide such services and were not even aware that their NPI numbers were being used in this way.
As another part of the alleged scheme, Clark rented houses in West Valley City and elsewhere to purportedly serve as “sober living homes.” In reality, however, these homes left Medicaid beneficiaries who struggled with substance abuse to fend for themselves rather than helping them maintain sobriety. Throughout the scheme, Clark caused Medicaid to be billed for services that were never provided, services provided by unqualified and unlicensed individuals, and services that were otherwise not eligible for reimbursement, totaling over $4 million.
Clark is charged with health care fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Her initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for September 9, 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.
“This administration—and my office—remains firmly committed to pursuing individuals who attempt to steal from taxpayer funded programs,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “I am grateful for the dedication of our law enforcement partners and our prosecutors, whose collaborative efforts are essential in combating fraud and ensuring justice for all victims.”
The case is being investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) of the Utah Attorney General’s Office, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI).
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Y. Hirata, Sachi J. Jepson, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Kaye Lynn Wooton, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, are prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
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:
jazzamin_t._clark.indictment.pdfOver 200,000 Fentanyl Pills Taken Off Utah Streets During Two Separate Unrelated SeizuresRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Two Mexican Nationals, one of whom is an illegal alien, were indicted by a federal grand jury after they were arrested and charged in two separate and unrelated cases that led to the seizure of approximately 204,000 fentanyl pills in one week.
Jesus Alexis Cecena Cota, 22, of Mexico, residing illegally in West Jordan, Utah; and Ricardo Verduzco Bernal, 54, of West Valley City, Utah, were charged in two separate complaints August 13, 2026.
In the case involving Cota, according to allegations contained in court documents, in July 2026, the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force initiated a criminal investigation on Cota and co-conspirators, both known and unknown, associated with a drug trafficking organization believed to be distributing large quantities of fentanyl and other narcotics in the District of Utah. On August 11, 2026, agents executed a search warrant on a residence, vehicle, and storage unit in West Valley City allegedly used by Cota for the distribution of narcotics. During the search of the vehicle, agents recovered and seized approximately 1.44 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine on Cota. At the storge unit, agents recovered and seized approximately 9,351.45 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl. Agents estimated the evidence to be approximately 93,000 fentanyl pills. At Cota’s residence, agents located and seized 21.7 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl, U.S. currency, and a suspected drug ledger.
In the case involving Bernal, according to allegations contained in court documents, in August 2026, the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force initiated a criminal investigation on Bernal and co-conspirators, both known and unknown, associated with a drug trafficking organization believed to be distributing large quantities of fentanyl and other narcotics in the District of Utah. In August 2026, agents conducted a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Bernal. As a result of the controlled purchase, agents obtained and executed a search warrant on a hotel room in Salt Lake County, Utah. On August 12, 2026, agents executed the search warrant, and Bernal was alone inside the room where agents located and seized approximately 11,160.65 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl. Agents estimated the fentanyl evidence to be approximately 111,000 fentanyl pills.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Bernal is in the United States on a visitor visa.
Cota and Bernal are both charged, in separate and unrelated indictments, with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Cota is scheduled for a jury trial on August 27, 2026, and Bernal is scheduled for a jury trial on August 26, 2026, before a U.S. Magistrate Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
Both cases are investigated by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF). Valuable assistance is provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Illegal Alien from France Indicted After Alleged Discriminatory Threats to a Car Dealership Employee and Bulk Store EmployeeRead the Press Release
St. George, Utah – An illegal alien from French Guiana, France, is in federal custody after a federal grand jury in St. George returned an indictment charging him with federal crimes after he allegedly made multiple discriminatory and threatening phone calls to a bulk store employee and a car dealership employee.
Ramchand Rattan, 44, residing illegally in Las Vegas, Nevada, was indicted on August 11, 2026.
According to allegations in court documents, between May 6, 2025 and May 24, 2025, Rattan made multiple threatening phone calls to an employee of a car dealership in St. George. The victim said he assisted two people, one of whom was later identified as Rattan, on May 6, 2025. The victim said the two took a couple of test drives and during the interaction, Rattan noticed the victim spoke with an accent and asked him where he was from. The victim said he was originally from Britain. A few days later, Rattan called the dealership and asked for the victim. Because the victim was not on the lot at the time, the employee gave Rattan the victim’s personal phone number. The victim then received multiple phone calls from Rattan. If the victim answered, Rattan would make accusations and threats and at times leave voicemails doing the same. Messages included Ratan stating on May 11, 2025, that he would “bust your f****** head” and “shoot you in your f****** head.” In the second message on May 12, 2026, Rattan said, “I will murder you!” and that he would “follow you all over the United States and murder you!” Rattan also threatened to go to the dealership that afternoon and murder the victim.Most recently, according to allegations in court documents, between January 17, 2026, and January 21, 2026, Rattan made multiple threatening phone calls to a bulk store employee in St. George. Employees reported that the male suspect spoke with an accent and demanded that a homosexual black employee he recently interacted with at the store be fired. Rattan allegedly used derogatory names for homosexuals and black people during the calls and threatened if black or homosexual employees were not fired, Rattan would blow up or burn the store down. In a recorded call, Rattan said “I’m going to turn your place into a BBQ joint. I’m going to light it up like a BBQ joint.”
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Rattan is currently in the United States illegally with a pending asylum claim.
Rattan is charged with two counts of interstate communications with a threat to injure. His detention hearing is scheduled for August 25, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. before a U.S. Magistrate Court Judge 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 St. George Police Department and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office’s St. George Resident Agency.
Assistant United States Attorney Chris Burton for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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:
rattan_indictment.pdf rattan_pos_reg_detention.pdfA Texas Inmate was Sentenced to 10 Years’ Imprisonment for Attempting to Sex Traffick a Female Victim from UtahRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A Houston, Texas, inmate was sentenced to 120 months’ imprisonment today and a lifetime of supervised release after he attempted through threats and intimidation from behind bars to transport a victim from Utah to Texas to engage in prostitution while receiving the proceeds.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen comes after Aaron Kern, most recently of St. George, Utah, pleaded guilty on December 8, 2025, to attempted transportation for purposes of prostitution.
According to court documents and statements made at Kern’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, beginning on November 17. 2023, and continuing through December 4, 2024, Kern manipulated, intimidated and threatened his victim in an unrelenting effort to sex traffic her. His brazen efforts were recorded in jail calls, tablet visits, and text messaging. Over the course of a year, Kern contacted the victim over 1,800 times by phone and tablet. Kern developed a relationship with the victim and attempted to recruit the victim to prostitution and collect the proceeds. Kern claimed that the victim owed him money from all of the phone calls and tablet visits (he estimated it to be $10,000) and that she needed to prostitute herself to reimburse him. Kern planned to traffic the victim in Utah and, upon his release, in Houston, Texas. When the victim expressed any hesitation, Kern threatened her and members of her family with violence. On one occasion he told the victim “You are going to have a lot of days where you are drinking through a straw.”
During the investigation, law enforcement found an online prostitution advertisement that Kern dictated and ordered the victim to place. In Kern’s jail cell, investigators also found a handwritten contract that he wanted the victim to sign as well as handwritten notes and journal entries describing how he needed to break the victim down.
“Kern has a long and violent history of abusing women. His latest offense demonstrates that he continues to pose a serious threat to the community — especially to women — even while incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “Individuals like Kern must remain in custody to prevent further harm to victims, their families, and the broader community.”
The case was investigated by the Washington County Drug/Gang Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Burton of The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Utah Man Indicted on Hate Crime Charge for Stabbing at West Valley MallRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Peter Larsen, 48, of Orem, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for the federal hate crime of willfully causing bodily injury to a victim because of his actual or perceived religion, in relation to a July 13, stabbing at the West Valley Mall in West Valley City, Utah. The defendant has been detained in state custody since his arrest on July 13.
According to court documents, on July 13, police responded to the West Valley Mall for reports of a stabbing. The victim was located inside the mall suffering from multiple stab wounds, including to his neck. An investigation determined that the defendant harbored anti-Muslim views and went to the West Valley Mall specifically for the purpose of attacking Muslims. The defendant purchased a knife from a store inside the mall and went around asking mall employees if they were Muslim. When the victim responded that he was, the defendant began stabbing him. The attack was only stopped through the intervention of bystanders, who detained the defendant until police arrived.
“This administration prioritizes protecting the civil rights of all Americans, and we will not tolerate violence motivated by religious hatred,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We thank our law-enforcement partners and those who heroically intervened to stop this attack, and we especially pledge our support to the victim in his recovery.”
“Our thoughts are with the victim and the victim’s family, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “This administration, my office, and our law enforcement partners have zero tolerance for hate fueled violence, particularly this heinous attempted murder. Anti Muslim violence is a crime, and it will be met with the full force of federal law to ensure justice for the victim and the broader Muslim community.”
“We are deeply mindful of the impact this attack has had on the victim and their family. No one should be targeted with violence because of their religion or faith,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. “Hate-fueled violence harms more than one individual; it sends fear throughout an entire community. The FBI will work closely with our partners to support the victim and ensure this case is thoroughly investigated and ensure accountability.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Larsen’s initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for August 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
This case was investigated by the West Valley Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda and Trial Attorney Milos Jovanovic of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Attachments:
peter_michael_larsen.indictment.pdf peter_michael_larsen.position_regarding_detention.pdfUtah Man Indicted on Hate Crime Charge for Stabbing at West Valley MallRead the Press Release
Peter Larsen, 48, of Orem, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury today for the federal hate crime of willfully causing bodily injury to a victim because of his actual or perceived religion, in relation to a July 13, stabbing at the West Valley Mall in West Valley City, Utah. The defendant has been detained in state custody since his arrest on July 13.
According to court documents, on July 13, police responded to the West Valley Mall for reports of a stabbing. The victim was located inside the mall suffering from multiple stab wounds, including to his neck. An investigation determined that the defendant harbored anti-Muslim views and went to the West Valley Mall specifically for the purpose of attacking Muslims. The defendant purchased a knife from a store inside the mall and went around asking mall employees if they were Muslim. When the victim responded that he was, the defendant began stabbing him. The attack was only stopped through the intervention of bystanders, who detained the defendant until police arrived.
“This administration prioritizes protecting the civil rights of all Americans, and we will not tolerate violence motivated by religious hatred,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We thank our law-enforcement partners and those who heroically intervened to stop this attack, and we especially pledge our support to the victim in his recovery.”
“Our thoughts are with the victim and the victim’s family, and we wish him a full and speedy recovery,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “This administration, my office, and our law enforcement partners have zero tolerance for hate‑fueled violence, particularly this heinous attempted murder. Anti‑Muslim violence is a crime, and it will be met with the full force of federal law to ensure justice for the victim and the broader Muslim community.”
“We are deeply mindful of the impact this attack has had on the victim and their family. No one should be targeted with violence because of their religion or faith,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. “Hate-fueled violence harms more than one individual; it sends fear throughout an entire community. The FBI will work closely with our partners to support the victim and ensure this case is thoroughly investigated and ensure accountability.”
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case was investigated by the West Valley Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos Esqueda for the District of Utah and Trial Attorney Milos Jovanovic of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Illegal Alien from Mexico Indicted after Utah Agents Seize Narcotics, Including Methamphetamine from Alleged Drug TraffickerRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging an illegal alien from Mexico with a drug crime after he sold cocaine during an undercover operation, and after agents seized methamphetamine from the defendant’s residence.
Cristian Cardenas Aguilar, 19, residing illegally in West Valley City, Utah, was charged by complaint on July 31, 2026.
According to court documents, on July 20, 2026, agents with the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force and the FBI conducted a controlled purchase of narcotics from Cardenas Aguilar. After the controlled purchase, Cardenas Aguilar left the controlled purchase location in a vehicle and was observed by agents entering a residence in West Valley City. The narcotics evidence purchased during the controlled buy was transported to the Davis County Crime Lab where it tested positive for cocaine and weighed 121.14 grams. On July 29, 2026, agents executed two search warrants on Cardenas Aguilar’s vehicle and residence in West Valley City. During the search of the residence, agents located and seized 3,623 grams of field-tested-positive methamphetamine.
Cardenas Aguilar is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for August 17, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States 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 FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF).
Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton 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 Honduras Sentenced for Drug Trafficking in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The final defendant, an illegal alien from Honduras who was involved in a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to time served (16.5 months’ imprisonment) after approximately 13,000 fentanyl pills were seized by law enforcement during a controlled buy and the execution of a search warrant in 2025.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Chief Judge Jill N. Parrish comes after Jose Enrique Zuniga-Diaz, 20, of Honduras, residing illegally in West Valley, Utah, pleaded guilty on April 16, 2026, to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. His co-defendants also pleaded guilty. Diego Armando Campos-Fallas was sentenced in September 2025 to 42 months’ imprisonment and 36 months’ supervised release. Hugo Eduardo Miraba-Franco was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment and 36 months’ supervised release. In addition to their terms of imprisonment, upon release, all three defendants will be remanded to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings.
According to court documents and statements made at Zuniga-Diaz’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on March 19, 2025, during the execution of a search warrant in West Valley City, Utah, law enforcement seized approximately 13,000 fentanyl pills that Zuniga-Diaz knew were intended for distribution. See prior press release: Approximately 13,000 Fentanyl Pills Seized During Undercover Operation, Three Foreign Nationals Detained and Charged.
“Fentanyl is deadly, and in this case, our law enforcement partners and my office successfully removed 13,000 pills from our streets,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “This case reflects the strength of our partnerships and our shared commitment to keeping communities safe by stopping drug traffickers and reducing the flow of dangerous drugs.”
The case was investigated jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
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.
United States Attorney's Office Joining Law Enforcement, Community Leaders and Residents for National Night Out Events in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah will join their law enforcement partners, neighbors, and communities for National Night Out events in cities across the state.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to participate in National Night Out. These events provide an important opportunity for meaningful interaction, fostering trust, and strengthening relationships within our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “We look forward to engaging with residents and working alongside our law enforcement partners as we continue advancing efforts toward safer and stronger communities throughout the state.”
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve to make our neighborhoods safer places to live. Millions of people take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities throughout the country on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country.
National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization.Coordinated by local law enforcement and trained volunteers, National Night Out provides an opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Neighborhoods host block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel and more. National Night Out sends a message that neighbors are united and working together to keep their communities and each other safe.
For more information, visit https://natw.org/.
Below is a list of National Night Out events that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah will be attending, all hosted by local participating law enforcement agencies.
Scheduled Events:
1. Riverton City Public Safety Night
Monday, August 3, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Riverton City Park
1452 West 12600 South
Riverton, UT 840652. UPD Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Big Cottonwood Regional Park
4300 South 1300 East
Millcreek, UT 841173. Woods Cross Police Department’s National Night Out Against Crime
Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Woods Cross City Hall (Hogan Park)
1555 South 800 West
Woods Cross, UT 840874. Ogden’s Night Out Against Crime
Thursday, August 12, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Lorin Farr Park
769 Canyon Road
Ogden, UT 844045. Murray City Police & Fire Safety Fair
Monday, August 31, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Murray Park
296 East Murray Park Avenue
Murray, UT 84107Egyptian National Arrested and Indicted by Grand Jury After Allegedly Brutally Beating a Man During a Carjacking in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A U.S. Magistrate Judge found a lawful alien from Egypt an unmanageable risk and ordered him detained during his arraignment and detention hearing this week at the federal courthouse.
Last week, a federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging Gwen Manot Scholl Agake, aka John Agake, 22, of Salt Lake City, Utah, with carjacking after he allegedly attempted to steal a victim’s vehicle and attacked him with a long metal bar causing serious injuries to his face, shoulder, and head.
According to court documents, on July 6, 2026, Agake attempted to steal a vehicle and violently attacked the owner of the vehicle who tried to stop him. As alleged, the victim was working on patrol as a security guard at a business when he noticed at 3:20 a.m. a light coming from his parked vehicle. He approached the vehicle and encountered Agake. The victim told Agake to get out of his car and Agake brandished a long metal bar and demanded the keys from the victim. The victim refused and the defendant got out of the car swinging the metal bar, striking the victim in the head and shoulders and again demanding the keys while striking the victim. The victim was able to run away and get inside the business but not before Agake, who was chasing after him, also entered the building. Once inside, the defendant further assaulted the victim, striking him several times in the face and head. While beating the victim Agake continued to demand the keys and yelled “you should have given me the keys” and “you shouldn’t have called the cops.” The victim suffered severe injuries to his head, face, and body. Agake exited the building by breaking out a large window with a metal bar and caused an injury to his arm leaving a trail of blood.
The attack, both inside and outside the business, was captured by surveillance video. The victim’s co-worker witnessed the attack on closed-circuit television (CCTV) after the victim managed to radio her. The co-worker quickly called the Salt Lake City Police Department, who quickly responded. Upon SLCPD’s arrival, they followed Agake’s trail of blood, found him hiding at a nearby business on North Temple, and arrested him.
According to court documents, Agake is a lawful resident alien who has applied for citizenship, but his application is now on hold due to the indictment. He is subject to removal or deportation after serving a period of incarceration.
Agake is charged with carjacking. A jury trial is scheduled for October 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 7.3 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States 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 an FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda 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.
U.S.-Congolese Citizen Sentenced to Nine Years’ Imprisonment for Sprawling Check Fraud ConspiracyRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah man was sentenced today to 108 months’ imprisonment and five years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to running a check fraud scheme between 2022–2025, stealing upwards of $1.7 million from banks with the help of a small network of African expats.
Pitshou Yunga Kafuku, 43, of Millcreek, Utah, pleaded guilty to bank fraud conspiracy, bank fraud, theft of government funds, and money laundering on April 21, 2026. In addition to his term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Tena Campbell ordered Kafuku to pay $1,749,158.73 in restitution.
According to court documents and admissions made at Kafuku’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, between 2022 and 2025, Kafuku orchestrated an elaborate scheme to obtain money from banks through fraud. As part of the scheme, Kafuku worked with individuals in South Africa to obtain stolen checks from the mail. With the help of a small network of African expats in Utah—recruited and directed by Kafuku—the conspirators opened bank accounts using fraudulent identification documents to deposit the stolen checks. Afterwards, they withdrew the funds as cash, transferred the money to other fraudulent accounts, or purchased heavy equipment bound for Africa.
Kafuku’s criminal history includes a 2018 federal felony case for identity theft and unlawful possession of identity documents. He is the last defendant to be sentenced in this current scheme. His coconspirators, Hugues Thierry Simo-Fotue and Beni Musogo Kahwara, both illegal aliens, were previously sentenced to 24 and 18 months’ imprisonment, respectively. Upon their release, both defendants will be remanded to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings.
“Like his coconspirators, Kafuku’s arrival in the United States presented opportunity and promise. Instead, he chose to become a serial fraudster,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “My office has zero tolerance for those who steal to fund an extravagant lifestyle while our financial institutions bear the consequences. It is our hope that Kafuku’s sentence will deter others from engaging in this type of criminal activity.”“The sentencing of Pitshou Kafuku underscores the seriousness of this extensive fraud operation,” stated IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown. “Kafuku employed sophisticated tactics—leveraging stolen Treasury and business checks, fabricated identities, and numerous shell companies—to orchestrate the theft of more than $1.7 million. This outcome serves as a powerful reminder of IRS Criminal Investigation’s steadfast commitment to pursuing complex financial fraud and preserving the integrity of our nation’s financial systems.”
“Today, Pitshou Yunga Kafuku was held accountable for stealing checks out of the U.S. Mail and fraudulently passing those checks through the financial system. Postal Inspectors relentlessly pursue criminals who exploit the U.S. Mail for such unlawful purposes. We will steadfastly work with our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we will hold criminals accountable for their actions,” said Glen Henderson, Inspector in Charge of the Phoenix Division.
The case was jointly investigated by the IRS-Criminal Investigations Salt Lake City Field Office and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant United States Attorney Tanner Zumwalt of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
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Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced to 60 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking Crimes in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An illegal alien from Mexico was sentenced to five years of imprisonment and four years of supervised release after he admitted to bringing heroin and fentanyl into the District of Utah for profit.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Kimball comes after Miguel Mario Soto De Santiago, 25, residing illegally in Bluffdale, Utah, pleaded guilty on May 5, 2026, to possession of heroin with intent to distribute. In addition to his term of imprisonment, upon his release, Soto De Santiago will be remanded to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings.
According to court documents and statements made at Soto De Santiago’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on February 19, 2025, he possessed 5027 grams of fentanyl and 1103 grams of heroin. Soto De Santiago admitted he brought the fentanyl and heroin to Utah for distribution in exchange for money. See prior press release: Mexican National Facing Drug Trafficking Charges.
“Anyone who brings heroin, fentanyl, or other dangerous drugs into our community is on a direct path to federal prison — and, in this case, deportation,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “My office maintains zero tolerance for drug traffickers, and we will prosecute these crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”“Every drug trafficker taken off our streets is one less threat to our communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “This sentencing is a direct result of strong partnerships and a shared commitment to removing dangerous drugs from our streets and protecting the people we serve.”
The case was investigated by the Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF), consisting of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, and the Davis Metro Narcotic Strike Force (DMNSF).
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.
Utah Felon Indicted in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation where Agents Seized a Large Amount of Alleged Bath Salts and FirearmRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging a Utah man and previously convicted felon of drug and firearm crimes after agents seized approximately 351.8 grams of alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (Alpha-PVP), the primary illicit substance found in “bath salts,” and a handgun, which the defendant is restricted from possessing.
Bronson Gary Dean, 51, of Duchesne, Utah, was charged by complaint on July 7, 2026.
According to court documents, on February 23, 2026, North Salt Lake Police stopped a pickup truck after the driver and sole occupant, identified as Dean, committed a traffic violation. Police ordered Dean to exit the vehicle after an officer observed items that appeared to be drug paraphernalia. Police conducted a vehicle search and officers located and seized additional drug paraphernalia, which included baggies, a digital scale with powder residue, and suspected marijuana. Officers also located a backpack that contained additional drug paraphernalia including several baggies containing a yellowish granular-type substance, and a black .45 caliber Kahr CW45 handgun, which was reported stolen. Officers also located large containers containing laboratory grade glassware, which included a three-bottle neck flask, miscellaneous flasks, condenser tubing, and other volume measuring type glassware. Officers also noted the presence of unknown liquids, contained in various pieces of glassware and baggies located among various labeled chemical containers.
As a result of the findings, the DEA Clandestine Lab Team was called to respond. Upon arrival DEA lab team agents determined the glassware and related chemicals were all used in the manufacturing of synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”). DEA collected representative samples of the unknown liquids and yellow-granular substances and sent them to the DEA Southwest Laboratory for analysis. Results from the laboratory confirmed the presence of 351.8 grams of Alpha-PVP, the primary illicit substance in “bath salts,” which is a schedule I controlled substance.
Dean is charged with felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of α-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for July 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States 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 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Salt Lake Metro Narcotics Task Force. Significant assistance was provided by the North Salt Lake Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Seth A. Nielsen 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. HSTF Salt Lake comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with the prosecution being led by the United States 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.
Illegal Aliens from Honduras Charged after Law Enforcement Seized Approximately 7,500 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 charging two illegal aliens from Honduras, residing illegally in Utah, with drug crimes after law enforcement allegedly located and seized approximately 7,500 fentanyl pills for distribution in the District of Utah.
Kevin Arrazola-Canaca, 26, residing illegally in Tooele County, Utah; and Eddy Otel Arrazola-Canaca, 34, residing illegally in Kearns, Utah, were charged by complaint on July 16, 2026.
According to court documents, on July 15, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a vehicle and residence in the District of Utah. Law enforcement first encountered Eddy, the driver and sole occupant, during a traffic stop. Pursuant to a search warrant, detectives located and found approximately 295 grams of pills, which tested positive for fentanyl hidden within the dashboard of the car. That same day, detectives also executed a search warrant at a residence. During the search of the residence, Kevin was the sole occupant inside the residence. Inside the residence, detectives located and seized approximately 455 grams of pills, which tested positive for fentanyl, and $17,503 in cash. In total, Eddy possessed approximately 2,950 fentanyl pills, and Kevin possessed approximately 4,550 fentanyl pills. Both were arrested.
According to court documents, both Kevin and Eddy Arrazola-Canaca are not citizens of the United States.
Kevin Arrazola-Canaca and Eddy Arrazola-Canaca are charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Their initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for July 23, 2026, at 2:15 p.m. in courtroom 7.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States 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 Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Significant assistance was provided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman 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 and Two Utah Residents Charged with Drug Crimes after Law Enforcement Seized Approximately 20,000 Fentanyl PillsRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging an illegal alien from Sinaloa, Mexico, and two Weber County, Utah, residents with drug crimes after law enforcement located and seized a large quantity of blue M30 fentanyl pills during two separate seizures following an alleged drug transaction in Tooele County, Utah.
Luis Angel Camacho-Soto, 26, found illegally in Tooele, Utah; Fabiola Garcia, 34, of Ogden, Utah; and Joseph Anthony Gomez, 37, of Ogden, Utah, were originally charged by complaint on June 30, 2026.
According to court documents, on June 25, 2026, during an investigation, law enforcement observed an alleged drug transaction after a Ford stopped at a gas station in Tooele and a woman, later identified as Garcia, approached a semi-truck. After the alleged transaction, Garcia got back into the passenger side of the vehicle and the driver of the Ford, later identified as Gomez, drove to a nearby hotel. Law enforcement detained both Garcia and Gomez. Tooele City Police Department responded with a K9 unit and conducted a sniff around the Ford, and a K-9 alerted positive for the presence of narcotics. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement located and seized approximately 10,000 small blue pills marked “M30,” which field-tested positive for fentanyl. The pills were located in a large plastic bag inside a black fanny pack that appeared to be the same fanny pack Garcia had after she approached the semi-truck. The suspected fentanyl pills weighed approximately 1,170 grams.
Concurrently, law enforcement detained Camacho from the semi-truck and a K-9 alerted positive to the presence of narcotics within the semi-truck. Law enforcement seized approximately 10,000 small blue pills marked “M30,” which field-tested positive for fentanyl and weighed more than 400 grams.
According to court documents, Camacho is not a citizen of the United States.
Camacho-Soto is charged with distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Garcia and Gomez are charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. A four-day jury trial is scheduled for September 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 7.3 before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States 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 U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Metro Narcotics Task Force (MNTF), and the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI). Special assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Tooele City Police Department.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Ian K. Ross 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.
Previously Removed Illegal Alien from Mexico and Utah Man Arrested and Charged After Law Enforcement Seized Meth and Heroin in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging a previously removed illegal alien from Mexico and a Utah County man with drug crimes after law enforcement seized a large quantity of methamphetamine and heroin during a traffic stop and at a residence in Lehi, Utah.
Martiano Ralph Estrada, 51, of Orem, Utah, and Alejandro Alberto Alvarado-Gutierrez, 34, of Mexico, residing illegally in Lehi, were charged and arrested on July 8, 2026.
According to court documents, on June 29, 2026, law enforcement stopped Estrada for a traffic violation. Estrada was the driver and Alvarado-Gutierrez was the front passenger. During a search of the vehicle, law enforcement found approximately 31 grams of methamphetamine and 33 grams of heroin hidden under the steering wheel of the vehicle. Law enforcement also searched a residence in Lehi and located an additional 223 grams of heroin and 1,108 grams of methamphetamine. At the residence, law enforcement also located packaging for two cell phones which matched the phones found on Alvarado-Gutierrez during the traffic stop. A brief search of the phones revealed messages that appeared to be about drug distribution. In total, law enforcement seized 1,139 grams of methamphetamine and 256 grams of heroin.
According to court documents, Alvarado-Gutierrez is not a citizen of the United States and was previously removed from the United States in November 2025.
Estrada and Alvarado-Gutierrez are charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Alvarado-Gutierrez is also charged with reentry of a previously removed alien. Their initial appearance on the indictment was July 13, 2026. Estrada’s detention hearing is scheduled for July 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. Alvarado-Gutierrez is scheduled for a three-day jury trial on September 18, 2026, before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States 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 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Utah County Major Crimes Task Force.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Pete Reichman 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.
Texas Man Sentenced to Prison for Attempting to Rob an ATM in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jawuan Donte Thomas, 23, of Texas was sentenced today to 57 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $205,080.00 in restitution after attempting to rob an automated teller machine (ATM) in the District of Utah in 2024 and successfully robbing an ATM in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.
The sentence, imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Tena Campbell comes after Thomas pleaded guilty to attempted bank robbery on June 26, 2025 and bank robbery on May 12, 2026.
According to court documents and statements made at Thomas’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on December 17, 2024, Thomas attempted to rob a bank ATM in Riverton, Utah. Thomas admitted that prior to the attempted robbery, he and two co-conspirators jammed the ATM, knowing it would cause the machine to malfunction and require the bank to call a technician to repair it. Thomas admitted to waiting in a car near the ATM and watching for the technician to arrive. Upon the technician’s arrival, Thomas and his co-conspirators drove up quickly to the ATM and Thomas jumped out of the vehicle and demanded the money. Because Thomas and his co-conspirators had jammed another ATM in Draper, Utah earlier in the day, FBI agents were staged near the Riverton location in anticipation of a potential robbery. As Thomas approached the ATM technician, FBI agents closed in to thwart the robbery. Thomas attempted to flee on foot but was captured immediately. His co-conspirators fled in the vehicle. Law enforcement seized a screwdriver from Thomas’s possession at the time of his arrest. See prior press release: Texas Man Accused of Attempting to Rob an ATM Technician is Facing Federal Charges in Utah.
While this case was pending, the District of Utah learned that Thomas and two others had been charged in the Southern District of Ohio with bank robbery. Thomas agreed that the Ohio case should be transferred to Utah for disposition. On May 12, 2026, Thomas entered a guilty plea to bank robbery, admitting that he and his co-conspirators successfully robbed an ATM in the Cincinnati, Ohio area utilizing the same strategy they had employed in Utah. Thomas and his co-conspirators stole over $205,000.00 in that robbery. The money has not been recovered.
“Thomas’s scheme to jam the ATM and confront the repairperson placed the ATM technician at great risk. I am grateful for the quick thinking, decisive actions, and strong coordination of our law enforcement partners, whose efforts prevented this robbery from escalating,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “My office remains committed to working alongside our local, state, federal, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime in Utah. Our office extends special thanks to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio for agreeing to transfer Thomas’ second bank robbery case to Utah for disposition.”
“This attempted ATM robbery put an innocent technician's life at risk, showing Mr. Thomas' total disregard for human safety,” said Salt Lake City FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls. “The FBI and our partners will pursue those who endanger public safety and seek to profit through violent crime.”
The case is being investigated by an FBI Task Force Officer from the South Jordan Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the Riverton City Police Department and the Springfield Township Police Department in Ohio.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.
Illegal Alien from Mexico Charged by the District of Utah After Allegedly Possessing a Large Quantity of Fentanyl Powder in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging an illegal alien from Mexico with drug and immigration crimes after 171 grams of fentanyl powder was allegedly found in his vehicle during a traffic stop.
Martin Erubiel Algandar Castro, 25, who was found illegally in Salt Lake City, Utah, was charged by complaint on June 30, 2026.
According to court documents, on June 25, 2026, law enforcement stopped a Jeep Cherokee driven by Castro for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, a K-9 officer alerted positive for the presence of drugs and the vehicle was searched. In the vehicle, law enforcement located and seized approximately 171 grams of suspected fentanyl powder, which field-tested positive for fentanyl. During the search, law enforcement also located and seized $1,513 on Castro and several wire transfer receipts sending money to Mexico.
As alleged in court documents, a brief search of Castro’s phone revealed evidence of distribution. Additionally, Castro is not a citizen of the United States, and the government is unaware of any ties that Castro has to Utah and to the United States.
Castro is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for July 9, 2026, at 10:45 a.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States 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 Homeland Security Investigations and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Pete Reichman 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.
Jury Convicts Chicago Resident of Drug Trafficking and Firearm Crimes While in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A federal jury in St. George returned a guilty verdict against a Chicago man after law enforcement found him in possession of cocaine and a firearm during a traffic stop.
Marcus Kentral Brown, 44, of Chicago, IL, was found guilty of possession of 500 grams or more of cocaine with intent to distribute, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on July 13, 2021, Brown was pulled over by a Utah Highway Patrol Trooper. Brown, the driver and sole occupant of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, stated he was traveling back to Chicago from California. Brown claimed the Jeep was his and that he purchased the vehicle from a “friend” in February or March. During a consensual search of the vehicle, the UHP Trooper found air fresheners throughout the car and a hidden compartment in the rear cargo area. He also located and seized approximately $14,000 in cash. Inside the hidden compartment, the trooper located 10 packages of a controlled substance that later tested positive for cocaine, and a loaded Glock pistol. The total weight of the cocaine was 25 pounds
Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on October 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen in courtroom 2B at the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.
The case is being investigated by the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).Assistant United States Attorneys Brady Wilson and Christopher Burton of the U.S. 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.
Utah Man Sentenced to 15 Years After Selling Fentanyl Laced Pills that Resulted in DeathRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Weber County man was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment, five years of supervised release, and ordered by the court to pay $9,983 in restitution to the victim’s family after he distributed fentanyl to another person who was later found dead as a result of fentanyl intoxication.
Cullin Anthony Bullen, 39, of Roy, Utah, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl on April 10, 2026.
According to Bullen’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, he admitted that on December 19, 2023, in the District of Utah, he knowingly and intentionally distributed fentanyl, a highly addictive and dangerous controlled substance, to another person. As a result, on December 20, 2023, the person he sold fentanyl to was found dead by law enforcement. Bullen admitted that the victim who was found dead would not have died but for the ingestion of the fentanyl he sold. He further admitted to having sold the victim 25-30 small blue pills marked “M30” on the night before he was found dead. Bullen told law enforcement that he was suspicious about the pills he sold because the pills were “shinier” and “harder” than pills he typically received. He also described the M30 stamp as being unusually crisp. Despite these misgivings, Bullen sold the pills representing that they were “Roxicodone.” Bullen’s criminal history includes a number of convictions for controlled substance offenses dating back to 2009.
“There is no measure of justice that can ever make up for the loss of a life,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “In the United States’ view, few federal crimes—short of intentional homicide or offenses involving children—are more serious than the offense to which Bullen has admitted guilt. We hope the victim’s family, who has been profoundly impacted by the death of their loved one, can find some measure of peace knowing that Bullen is now behind bars.”
“Let the judicial outcome in this investigation be a warning: if you cause death in our communities through trafficking fentanyl, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will do everything in our power to see you are held accountable,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge David Olesky. “Our goal at DEA is a Fentanyl Free America. Far too many lives have been lost. The work done by the investigative and prosecutorial team demonstrate our commitment that we will not forget those impacted by the fentanyl epidemic.”
This case was investigated jointly by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Tremonton City Police Department.
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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Utah Woman Extradited to U.S. from Croatia to Face International Parental Kidnapping and Passport Fraud Charges in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah woman is in federal custody in Salt Lake City after she was extradited on June 12, 2026, to the United States from Croatia after being charged in a federal indictment with international parental kidnapping and passport fraud.
Elleshia Anne Seymour, 35, of West Jordan, Utah, allegedly traveled to Europe, and to Croatia with her four biological children without the children’s fathers’ knowledge or court approval. She was indicted on January 28, 2026, and an arrest warrant was issued for Seymour. On January 16, Croatian authorities notified FBI they located Seymour and the children in Croatia. The four children were recovered and returned to their fathers in the United States. On January 17, 2026, Seymour was arrested in Croatia. She appeared in federal court for her initial appearance on the indictment on June 22, 2026. Her detention hearing is scheduled for July 1, 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.
According to court documents, on November 29, 2025 through January 16, 2026, Seymour removed her four children from the United States with the intent to obstruct the lawful exercise of the parental rights of the children’s fathers. Seymour and the children’s fathers shared joint custody in an order by the Utah state court. On December 2, 2025, West Jordan Police officers responded to a request from Seymour’s co-worker for a welfare check for Seymour’s residence. The responding officer found the apartment unlocked and, after making entry, determined that no one was present. The officer attempted to contact Seymour by telephone but was unsuccessful. On December 3, 2025, Seymour’s former husband and the biological father of three of the children reported to police that he last saw the children on November 24, 2025, when he dropped them off at school. Seymour did not notify the father of her intent to travel internationally with the children as required by the custody order. The father reported to law enforcement he had no contact from Seymour since November 23, 2025. The three children’s father further believed Seymour was out of the country and forged his signature on passport applications for the three children after he found opened passport-related envelopes for the children inside the trash in Seymour’s apartment, found she had deleted her social media accounts, and found other evidence indicating she left the country.
As alleged in court documents, Seymour’s second ex-husband and father to the fourth child told law enforcement he signed paperwork for his child’s passport but was not informed Seymour intended to leave the country. The last he heard from Seymour was via voicemail on December 2, 2025, and Seymour said she was in France with the children, when in fact she was not. Seymour reminded him she had to get the children out of the country because the “end time is coming.” Seymour allegedly told her ex-husband and father of the fourth child she wanted him to join them and asked him not to let the three children’s father know where she was. Both ex-husbands described Seymour as a “Doomsdayer,” a person who believes in the imminent destruction of the United States and eventually the world.
“The safe return of the children remains our highest priority. We are deeply grateful to our federal and international partners for their tireless efforts in bringing about this successful outcome,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “Our work is not finished—we will continue to pursue justice in the case against Seymour.”
"International parental kidnappings can have a profound impact on a child’s sense of safety and stability," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. "We are grateful the children in this case were safely returned home through the extensive reach, resources, and collaborative efforts of the FBI and our law enforcement partners."
The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by West Jordan Police Department, Salt Lake City Airport Police, INTERPOL, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Ministry of Justice of Croatia, and Croatian authorities.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda 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.
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:
elleshia_anne_seymour.indictment.pdf
elleshia_a._seymour.motionfordetention.pdfU.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah Honors Tooele County Sheriff Deputy with Hometown Hero AwardRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is proud to announce Deputy Jeremy Taubman of the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office as the inaugural Hometown Hero Award recipient in our district.
On February 1, 2025, Deputy Taubman sprang into action to rescue a man and his dog from the icy waters of Stansbury Lake in Tooele County, Utah. According to reports, the man had fallen through the water while attempting to save his four-legged companion from the icy conditions. Despite freezing temperature, low visibility, and stressful conditions, Deputy Taubman successfully tossed his department-issued water rescue rope within arm’s reach of the man and was able to reel him and the dog out of the freezing water.
“Today is an absolute honor for the District of Utah. Deputy Taubman’s selfless and quick actions saved a man that day and saved a family from tragedy and heartache,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “Deputy Taubman’s swift response made all the difference and that is why he is an extraordinary example of heroism in our community. Thank you, Deputy Taubman, for your bravery and for serving in the District of Utah.”
“I am truly honored to receive the Hometown Hero Award as part of the United States 250th celebration here in Utah. While my name is on this award, it reflects the support, guidance, and trust of many people around me. The lessons I’ve learned have shaped both my career and my approach to serving our community. It is a privilege to do this work, and I accept this award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah with gratitude and humility.”
“Deputy Taubman’s actions during this incident reflect the highest standards of service and dedication we expect from our deputies," said Sheriff Paul J. Wimmer of the Tooele County Sheriff's Office. "His quick thinking and steady response helped save a life and demonstrated the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office's commitment to serving and protecting our community. We are proud of his actions and grateful for the positive impact he continues to make in Tooele County.”
Sponsored by the Department of Justice, the Hometown Hero Award is in celebration of Freedom 250, the United States of America’s 250th year of celebrating its independence. Nationwide, in 93 U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the Department honors one individual in each district for their extraordinary service in their local community.
Utah Known Gang Member Sentenced for Possessing a Firearm as a Previously Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A known Utah gang member and felon was sentenced to 46 months’ imprisonment today, concurrent to any time imposed by the state of Utah for parole violations and/or new offenses, after he illegally possessed a firearm and ammunition, which he is restricted from possessing as a felon.
Raymond Ace Ortiz, aka Gizmo, 39, of St. George, Utah, pleaded guilty on April 3, 2026. In addition to his term of imprisonment, he was also sentenced to three years' supervised release.
According to Ortiz’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on November 6, 2025, Ortiz was taken into custody at a West Valley City residence by the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (VFAST) pursuant to a warrant for his arrest for a state parole violation. As members of VFAST knocked on the front door, Ortiz went to the back door with a firearm. Ortiz was shot during the encounter, and a loaded Taurus G2C 9mm semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number was recovered from the area. Ortiz admitted he possessed the firearm during the encounter. Ortiz was previously convicted of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person in Utah Third District Court.
This case was investigated by an FBI Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Victoria K. McFarland 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Final Defendant in ATM Robbery Sentenced to 60 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The final defendant from Texas involved in the robbery of an ATM that belonged to a credit union in Salt Lake County, Utah, was sentenced today to five years’ imprisonment, and three years of supervised release.
Jevaunte Reese, 33, of Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty on March 30, 2026, to credit union robbery. His co-defendants Lashawn Charleswell, Tiras Jack, Harold Oliver, and Calvin Brantley also pleaded guilty and were sentenced in 2025. In addition to their sentences, Judge David Sam ordered they pay $4,309.00, jointly and severally.
According to court documents and statements made at Reese’s sentencing and change of plea hearings, on September 11, 2024, Taylorsville Police Department and special agents from the FBI responded to the Mountain America Credit Union in Taylorsville, Utah, for an ATM robbery. Upon arrival, law enforcement spoke to an ATM technician who was present during the robbery. The technician was contracted through a company that repairs ATM machines and had access to the cash stored inside. Reese admitted that he and his codefendants had previously disabled the ATM and waited in their vehicles for the technician to arrive and repair the ATM. When the ATM technician arrived, he was pushed to the ground and the cash box containing $200,000 was stolen. Law enforcement identified the vehicles and took the defendants into custody at a rest stop in Paragonah, Utah.
The case was investigated jointly by the Taylorsville Police Department, and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos A. Esqueda 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.
U.S. Attorney’s Office Launches Fraud Prevention Initiative for Older Americans to Combat Elder Fraud in UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah is proud to announce her office’s efforts to combat elder fraud with the launch of the Fraud Prevention Initiative for Older Americans. As part of the initiative, U.S. Attorney Holyoak is visiting senior and community centers across the state of Utah to discuss elder fraud trends, tactics, and ways to avoid falling victim to these dangerous and sometimes sophisticated scams.
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and June 15, 2026, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Since May 6, 2026, U.S. Attorney Holyoak has visited over a dozen senior centers in 12 counties. Joining the Justice Department’s efforts to stop scammers from defrauding older Americans, she shares an important reminder: the Justice Department and other government agencies will never call you out of the blue to demand money, request gift cards or cryptocurrency, or tell you to move your money to “keep it safe.”
“As technology evolves, imposter scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Their tactics are tricky and instill fear and urgency, but it is important that no matter how urgent the problem seems, stop, talk to someone you trust, and check in with the real business or agency – not whoever is on the phone,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Along with this administration, my office takes fraud seriously and we will prosecute criminals to the fullest extent of the law, but prevention is key.”
For more information on how scammers try to defraud the older American community visit ejcc.acl.gov/imposters.
Two Former Utah Court Clerks Arrested and Facing Federal Charges after Allegedly Helping Illegal Aliens Evade ICE ArrestRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An indictment was unsealed, and two former Utah state court clerks have been arrested after they allegedly helped an illegal alien evade U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest. The clerks also allegedly obstructed immigration proceedings and the lawful enforcement of United States immigration laws by helping at least one of three other illegal aliens escape out a backdoor of the Logan City Municipal Justice Court so that ICE could not arrest or deport them.
Jennifer Joma, 27, and Lauren Kelsey Morrow, 26, both of Logan, Utah, were indicted June 3, 2026.
According to allegations in court documents, on April 9, 2026, Joma and Morrow were working at the Logan City Municipal Justice Court in Logan when an ICE Enforcement and Removal Officer (ICE-ERO) entered the justice court to arrest an illegal alien for immigration related charges. The ICE officer had an administrative warrant for the illegal alien who was at the justice court for a court hearing. The ICE officer left the secure area and eventually went outside and waited in his car for his target to leave the courthouse before trying to make the lawful arrest.
As alleged in court documents, after Joma and Morrow learned that ICE was there to arrest an illegal alien, they took steps to identify ICE’s target. These steps included misusing court databases to determine the alienage of everyone who was listed on the court docket. During their searches, they identified multiple non-U.S. citizens, and before those non-citizens would leave the courthouse, Joma and Morrow intercepted them. ICE’s intended target was among the unauthorized aliens whom Joma and Morrow helped slip out a backdoor of the courthouse. Joma and Morrow led the individuals down a secure area, several hallways, and eventually out of the courthouse without being seen by ICE.
After sneaking out the back door of the courthouse for the first time with an alien, Morrow and Joma were spotted on a surveillance camera waving and smiling at it, and Morrow used her middle finger in an obscene gesture at the camera. On the second trip, Joma drove off with three aliens in her car before returning alone to the courthouse for work.
Joma and Morrow are charged with conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens, harboring illegal aliens, and obstruction of proceedings before departments and agencies. Joma is also charged with transporting illegal aliens. Their initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at 10:15 a.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 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Assistant United States Attorney Todd Bouton 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.
Attachments:
jenniferjoma_laurenmorrow.indictment.pdf jenniferjoma.positionregardingdetention.pdf laurenmorrow.positionregardingdetention.pdfUtah Father Charged in the District of Utah for International Parental Kidnapping After Fleeing to Mexico with ChildrenRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging a Utah County man with international parental kidnapping after he fled to Mexico with his two small children without the mother’s knowledge or court approval.
Dane Stephen Richman, 46, of Saratoga Springs, Utah, is in federal custody in San Diego, California, where he will appear in federal court before he is extradited to Utah for his initial appearance on the indictment.
According to court documents, on May 23, 2026, Richman failed to return his two minor children to their mother at an agreed upon exchange location after their scheduled visit in accordance with the Fourth District, Utah County, State Court Order. The state court had ordered temporary joint custody with specific exchange dates of the children every other weekend. After the children were not returned, officers were called to Richman’s home for a wellness check and discovered the home was empty and all the property was missing. Richman quit his job, abandoned his home in Saratoga Springs, and cleaned out his bank accounts.
According to court documents, Richman contacted the minor children’s mother, who lives out of state in Washington, and falsely stated he and the children had gone camping in California, when in fact Richman took the children to Southern California and crossed the border. When the exchange of the children date and time lapsed, a state warrant was issued for Richman’s arrest. FBI joined the search for the two children and worked with Mexican authorities and located Richman and the children in San Felipe, Mexico. Richman was arrested by Mexican authorities, and they took custody of the children. Mexican authorities transferred the children and Richman into the custody of the U.S. authorities. The children were reunited with their mother, and the Utah State Court granted her temporary sole custody of the minor children.
“We are profoundly grateful that these children have been safely returned home,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “This outcome is the result of swift coordination between our local and federal law enforcement partners and the Mexican authorities. These dedicated professionals acted with the utmost urgency and care to ensure the children’s safe return.”
"The safe recovery of the children was our highest priority," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. "The successful outcome of this case reflects the reach and effectiveness of our partnerships, and our shared commitment to protecting children and supporting families."
The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and valuable assistance was provided by the San Felipe Police Department in Mexico, and the Saratoga Springs Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos Esqueda 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.
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.
Previously Removed Illegal Alien from Mexico Charged for Drug an 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 charging a previously removed illegal alien from Mexico with drug and immigration crimes after law enforcement seized drugs from a residence in Salt Lake County.
Francisco Javier Gonzalez-Diaz, 40, residing illegally in West Jordan, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on May 19, 2026.
According to allegations in court documents, on May 14, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in West Jordan. Prior to the execution of the search warrant, Gonzalez-Diaz, the target of the investigation, was located by law enforcement in his vehicle. During the search of Gonzalez-Diaz’s residence, law enforcement located and seized 471 grams of fentanyl pills, 120 grams of heroin, and 303 grams of methamphetamine. All the drugs field-tested positive. According to immigration officials, Gonzalez-Diaz is not a citizen of the United States and has been removed from the United States on at least one prior occasion.
Gonzalez-Diaz is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and reentry of a previously removed alien. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for June 4, 2026, at 1:00 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 jointly by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Special Assistant 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.
Repeat Child Sex Offender from Colorado Sentenced to 150 Months in PrisonRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A child sex predator from Colorado was sentenced today in Southern Utah to 150 months’ imprisonment and a lifetime of supervised release after he travelled from Colorado to Utah to have sex with who he thought was a 13-year-old girl, when in fact he was communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, comes after Cody Williams, 31, of Grand Junction, Colorado, pleaded guilty on January 22, 2026, to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
According to court documents and statements made at Williams’s sentencing and change of plea hearings, for over a month, Williams exchanged dozens of sexual messages with whom he thought was a 13-year-old girl. In reality, Williams was communicating with an undercover law enforcement officer. Williams told the undercover officer, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl, that he would teach her about various sexual acts and sent her links to sexually explicit videos to teach her. Williams also repeatedly asked for sexually explicit photos of the “13-year-old” girl in return. Working in an undercover capacity, the officer and Williams made plans to meet to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Ahead of meeting, law enforcement followed Williams from his home in Colorado to the planned meeting place in Utah and arrested him. Officers executed a search warrant for Williams’s cell phone and found the text message thread between Williams and the undercover officer posing as the teenage girl. Williams has a history of sex offenses against minors. In 2021, he was convicted in Colorado State Court of unlawful sexual contact after committing a sexual assault against a 14-year-old child.
“Communities are safer with predators like Williams behind bars,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Williams is a repeat and dangerous sex offender, and my office has zero tolerance for people who threaten the safety of our most vulnerable population and repeatedly break the law.”
“This sentence illustrates HSI’s strong commitment to protect our children from predators like Williams who attempt to exploit children,” said HSI Rocky Mountain Region SAC Steven Cagen. “The teamwork of HSI working with Grand County Sheriff’s Office and the U. S. Attorney’s Office ensures this predator is behind bars and we hope this brings some closure to the victim.”
The case was investigated jointly by the Grand County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Assistant United States Attorney 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.
Former Utah School Bus Driver Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Starting School Bus FireRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Michael Austin Ford, 60, of West Valley City, was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment for setting a school bus on fire in 2023.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge David Sam, came after Ford pleaded guilty on March 26, 2026, to arson of a vehicle belonging to an organization receiving federal funds. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Ford was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $21,690.42 in restitution.
According to court documents and admissions made at Ford’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, 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 stated that Ford 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, but the charge was dismissed as part of his plea agreement.
“Protecting our most vulnerable population is a top priority of this administration and my office,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. "I want to thank our law enforcement partners and my office who worked tirelessly on this case to bring it to a close and hold Mr. Ford accountable for his intentional disregard for safety and the law.”
"ATF’s top priority is protecting our communities from violent crimes, including acts of arson," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Chris Ashbridge. "We commend our partners at the Utah State Fire Marshal’s Office for their incredible work on this investigation, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah, which collectively ensured justice was served today."
The case was investigated jointly by the Utah State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Assistant United States Michael J. Thorpe of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuted the case.
Two Utah Residents Facing Federal Charges after Assisting Suspected Illegal Alien from Escaping Federal CustodyRead the Press Release
Salt Lake City, Utah – Two Salt Lake City residents are facing federal charges after they helped a suspected illegal alien escape from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in their vehicle, while the suspect was handcuffed. The duo allegedly used bolt cutters to remove his handcuffs and then bragged about the encounter on social media.
Kelzie Ryann Luna, 21, and George Sanchez-Juarez, 22, both of Salt Lake City, were charged by misdemeanor information on May 8, 2026.
According to allegations in court documents, on October 8, 2025, federal agents were attempting a targeted enforcement action at a Home Depot in Salt Lake City after they had identified four previously deported aliens. While federal agents were arresting one of the suspects, another suspected illegal alien, who was placed in handcuffs, escaped from the vehicle and fled on foot across the street where two people, later identified as Luna and Juarez, helped him evade arrest in a white Volkswagen Golf. Luna and Juarez then allegedly purchased bold cutters to remove the handcuffs and later bragged about helping the illegal alien escape from his lawful arrest while cursing ICE. Luna was identified by law enforcement as the passenger, and Sanchez-Juarez was the driver of the Volkswagen.
HSILuna and Sanchez Juarez are charged with theft, conversion, and disposal of government property, and aiding and abetting. Their initial appearance is scheduled for May 29, 2026, at 3:00 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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSI).
Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
A misdemeanor information is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Southern Utah Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Possession of Fentanyl and Methamphetamine with Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A St. George drug dealer was sentenced today to 120 months’ imprisonment and four years of supervised release after law enforcement located fentanyl and methamphetamine inside his vehicle during a traffic violation in 2024.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, comes after John Andy Larson, 49, of St. George, pleaded guilty on January 22, 2026, to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
According to court documents and statements made at Larson’s sentencing and change of plea hearings, on November 7, 2024, a deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on the interstate. The driver was identified as Larson. A drug sniffing canine alerted positive to the smell of narcotics in the vehicle. Law enforcement searched and located a lockbox inside the vehicle which contained 63 grams of methamphetamine (three bags), 7.8 grams of fentanyl pills (52 pills/two bags), 1.5 grams of marijuana (one bag), and 2.5 grams of heroin (one bag). All the drugs field-tested positive.
“Larson’s sentence should serve as a deterrent to other drug traffickers—if you try to make a career out of peddling poison in Utah, you are looking at a significant amount of incarceration time,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “The safety of our communities is a top priority for my office and Larson’s sentence underscores the collaboration of our federal, state, and local partners in realizing that priority.”
The case was investigated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington County Drug Task Force.
Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Hood 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.
Melissa Holyoak Sworn in as United States Attorney for the District of UtahRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – On May 28, 2026, Melissa Holyoak was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the District of Utah. Prior to her new appointment, former United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi appointed Holyoak as the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah on November 17, 2025, and First Assistant United States Attorney on March 17, 2026. President Donald J. Trump nominated Holyoak to serve as the U.S. Attorney on January 29, 2026, and she was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 18, 2026.
“It is an honor to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Utah,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “I am grateful to President Trump and the United States Senate for trusting me to lead this outstanding office and work closely with our federal, state, tribal, and local partners, in my home state. I look forward to continuing the work to ensure the safety of our citizens and uphold the rule of law.”
Prior to her role as Interim United States Attorney, Holyoak was an FTC Commissioner, from March 25, 2025, to November 17, 2025, where she strove to vigorously enforce the antitrust and consumer protection laws. In that role, she spoke widely about a range of FTC priorities including improving competition enforcement, effectively applying existing laws to emerging trends in technology, and protecting children and teens online. Holyoak also served as Solicitor General with the Utah Attorney General’s Office from September 2020 to March 2024, where she oversaw civil appeals, criminal appeals, constitutional defense and special litigation, and antitrust and data privacy divisions. She also managed multistate matters including those involving consumer protection and antitrust claims.
Holyoak also served as president and general counsel of Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based public interest firm and in other public interest attorney positions with the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Center for Class Action Fairness. Holyoak represented class members challenging unfair class actions and consumers fighting regulatory abuse in federal district courts and appellate courts across the country.
Holyoak has argued appeals in the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits. She is a former prosecutor and attorney with O’Melveny & Myers LLP. She graduated from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2003 as a member of the Order of the Coif and Law Review. Holyoak is a member of the Utah, D.C., and Missouri (inactive) bars. Holyoak is married and has four children.
In Celebration of Freedom 250, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah Holds Charity Book DriveRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – As part of America’s birthday celebration, Freedom 250, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country are honoring America by spearheading a gift-in-kind charity drive for their staff to participate in to benefit the community. In the District of Utah, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is holding a book drive from April 16 to May 29, 2026, to assist the Uintah and Ouray Reservation and the Navajo Nation in our district.
As part of the four corner states, Utah is home to eight federally recognized Tribes, spread throughout the state. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecutes crimes committed on Tribal land while also building partnerships, strengthening relationships, and serving victims of crime in Tribal communities.
“The remote location of our Tribal communities often limits available resources compared to more populated areas of the state,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Access to books can be more challenging in these remote areas, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office wanted to help by donating some of our personal favorites to benefit people of all ages.”
The Department of Justice is committed to addressing the persistent violence endured by Native American families and communities across the country, including by working with Tribal nations. For more information about the Departments work visit https://www.justice.gov/tribal.
*Note: This is an internal book drive
Utah Jury Convicts Business Owners of Fraud after Victims Were Scammed More than $30MRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – After a five-week trial, a federal jury in Salt Lake City returned a guilty verdict against multiple defendants for their participation in a nationwide scheme to defraud victims out of more than $30,000,000 by inducing them to invest in Noah’s Event Centers and promising impressive long-term financial returns. The defendants, Christopher J. Ashby, 52, Jordan S. Nelson, 45, both of Salt Lake County, Utah; and Scott W. Beynon, 49, of Davis County, Utah, were each found guilty on all charged counts: 17 counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Three other codefendants pleaded guilty as well. The founder of Noah’s, William J. Bowser, 63, of St. George, Utah, pleaded guilty in the middle of trial on April 16, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prior to trial, John D. Hamrick, 67, of Franconia, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty on January 21, 2026, to three counts of wire fraud; and Scott L. Rutherford, 54, of Utah County, Utah, pleaded guilty on June 9, 2025, to wire fraud.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the defendants conspired and engaged in a nationwide scheme to defraud investors. The victims were defrauded out of more than $30,000,000 after being persuaded by the defendants to invest in Noah’s Event Centers as part of 1031 exchanges. Despite defendants’ promises that the investments were “safe” and “secure” and that Noah’s was a reliable corporate partner, Noah’s Event Centers were, collectively, an unprofitable enterprise sustained only through infusions of new investor funds. Five promised buildings were never constructed, as new investor funds were diverted elsewhere. Evidence presented at trial demonstrated that the defendants misrepresented important information regarding Noah’s financial health and falsely promised to safeguard victims’ money during construction.
Marketing materials displayed at trial depicted luxurious Noah’s event spaces and boasted of Noah’s “demonstrated . . . ability to examine and modify their business to achieve maximum profitability.” However, evidence at trial demonstrated that the defendants were aware that Noah’s was not profitable and was facing dire financial straits. According to the evidence, investors were left with empty, undeveloped lots rather than the promised venues, while the defendants received millions of dollars for their role in the scheme.
At trial, prosecutors showed satellite images of the undeveloped event centers, including unbuilt sites in Dublin, Ohio, Independence, Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, Jacksonville, Florida, and Carmel, Indiana.
The defendants are expected to be sentenced before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City in the coming months.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah thanked federal law enforcement partners for their work on the case and emphasized that her Office is “committed to ensuring justice for victims of complex financial crimes.”The case is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
Assistant United States Attorneys Cy C. Castle, Stephen P. Dent, Luisa Gough, and Bryant L. Watson of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah Recognizes Law Enforcement During National Police WeekRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah hosted the 2026 United States Attorney’s Awards for Law Enforcement Ceremony. The event took place during National Police Week (May 10 -16, 2026) to honor the courage, sacrifice and dedication of law enforcement officers everywhere.
The United States Attorney’s Award recipients from local, state, and federal law enforcement partners were recognized for their individual exceptional work and distinguished achievements and contributions to the mission of the Department of Justice. This year’s ceremony is in special memory of fallen officers, Officer Eric Estrada and Sergeant Lee Sorenson of the Tremonton-Garland Police Department, who paid the ultimate sacrifice on August 17, 2025.
“We owe Utah’s local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies a profound debt of gratitude. Our men and women in blue work diligently to protect the citizens of Utah at great personal sacrifice, and as we were reminded recently, sometimes the ultimate sacrifice,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “We are thrilled to participate in National Police Week by honoring these sacrifices and the selfless commitment to protect and serve.”
To learn more about National Police Week visit https://www.policeweek.org/.
Utah Doctor and Two Nurses Charged with Health Care Fraud After Submitting False Claims to Medicare and Receiving Millions in PayoutRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A federal grand jury in St. George returned an indictment today charging a Utah podiatrist and two nurses who worked for him with fraud after they allegedly submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare for skin substitute services, many of which were medically unnecessary, and resulted in Medicare paying $29 million dollars in claims.
According to allegations in court documents, from July 2021 through December 2025, Ryan Scott Ellsworth, 47, of Highland, Utah; Emily Kelly, 45, of Washington, Utah; and Drake Dell Broadbent, 55, of Santa Clara, Utah, allegedly defrauded the federal health care benefit program, Medicare, to fraudulently obtain money for their own financial benefit.
Medicare is intended to provide health care benefits to individuals over the age of 65 or disabled. Ellsworth was a podiatrist who owned and operated Summit Foot and Ankle, with clinics throughout the state of Utah. Ellsworth also owned and operated Amble Medical, located in Highland, Utah. Kelly, a Utah licensed registered nurse practitioner and Broadbent, a Utah licensed registered nurse, worked primarily out of Summit’s St. George clinic.
As alleged, Ellsworth, Kelly, and Broadbent knew Medicare billing of a skin substitute was permissible only if medically necessary and if basic wound care had been administered to a wound for the previous 30 days. However, the defendants submitted false claims to Medicare for providing skin substitutes to patients who did not have qualifying wounds and where continued treatment of skin substitutes was medically unnecessary. As part of their alleged scheme, Ellsworth, Kelly, and Broadbent routinely did not pursue Medicare copayments from beneficiaries for skin substitutes which, at times, would have been thousands of dollars owed by a Medicare beneficiary. Ellsworth also allegedly caused unqualified medical providers, such as Broadbent, to provide skin substitute services that were outside his professional scope of practice. Ellsworth also submitted claims to Medicare for such skin substitutes under his name and Medicare provider number.
As a result, Ellsworth billed $44 million in claims to Medicare for skin substitutes, many of which were unnecessary, and Medicare paid Summit over $19 million on these claims. Kelly billed $17 million in claims to Medicare for skin substitutes, many of which were medically unnecessary, and Medicare paid Summit over $10 million on the submitted claims.
Ellsworth, Kelly, and Broadbent are charged with health care fraud, and wire fraud. Ellsworth and Broadbent are also charged with false statements relating to health care matters. Their initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for June 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 2B at the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Utah Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Assistant United States Attorney Mark Y. Hirata of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Alleged California Drug Trafficker Indicted in the District of Utah During Homeland Security Task Force OperationRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging a Southern California man with drug crimes after he allegedly trafficked heroin into Utah.
Christian Salinas-Santiago, 30, of Los Angeles, California, was initially charged by complaint on April 23, 2026.
According to allegations in court documents, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) opened an investigation in January 2026 with the Salt Lake Police Department into a Mexico based narcotics source of supply. In January 2026, an HSI undercover agent began communicating with a Mexico based drug trafficker to discuss drug shipments coming to Utah. On April 21, 2026, the drug trafficker in Mexico contacted the undercover agent and asked him to pick up a kilogram of heroin in Midvale, Utah, and advised the undercover agent he would be in a black Nissan Altima. The Nissan Altima, driven by Salinas-Santiago, arrived at the location, and Salinas-Santiago gave the heroin to the undercover agent. Shortly after, the Altima was stopped for a traffic violation, and Salinas-Santiago was arrested. The heroin Salinas-Santiago distributed to the undercover agent was later tested and indicated positive for heroin and weighed approximately 1.03 kilograms.
Salinas-Santiago is charged with distribution of heroin. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for May 7, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in courtroom 8.400 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 by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Salt Lake City Police Department. Valuable assistance was provided by the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake.
Assistant United States Attorney Vernon Stejskal of the U.S. 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. HSTF Salt Lake comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with the prosecution being led by the United States 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.
Utah Man Found Guilty of Selling “PoppySeed Wash” Online to Help Customers Get High on OpiatesRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal jury in Salt Lake City returned a guilty verdict against a Utah man for unlawful possession of drug-manufacturing paraphernalia. After a three-day trial, the jury found the defendant possessed, marketed, and sold “PoppySeed Wash” kits across the country designed to enable his customers to get high from a home-brewed, opiate-rich tea containing morphine, codeine, and thebaine gleaned, as directed, from the skin of unwashed poppy seeds.
Devin Michael Tew, 40, of West Jordan, Utah, was charged by indictment on March 6, 2024.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, sometime before 2018 through 2022, Tew operated an illegal online business via his website poppyseedwash.com. More specifically, he sold “PoppySeed Wash” kits to customers who wanted to get high off the opium coatings on specially sourced poppy seeds that could be made into an opioid-rich tea. Each of the “PoppySeed Wash” kits included a bottle with unwashed poppy seeds inside, an instruction label for manufacturing the product at home, a measuring guide on the side, and a strainer in the cap to filter out the seeds when consumers squeezed out the opium-infused “tea” manufactured at home by following Tew’s directions. When prepared as directed, this “tea” contained morphine, codeine, and thebaine – all of which are opiates, and all of which are controlled substances.
Evidence at trial showed that Tew marketed his “PoppySeed Wash” kits on his poppyseed.com website and idealized the abuse of opium in various related social media posts. As a result of his illegal business, Tew made hundreds of thousands of dollars online by selling his “PoppySeed Wash” kits to consumers. In fact, Tew admitted to federal agents that, at one point, he was withdrawing—or having his sole part-time employee withdraw—between between $9,500 and $10,000 per day that he made from his “PoppySeed Wash” business. In 2020 and 2026, two separate tests conducted by FDA chemists established-- that Tew’s “PoppySeed Wash” bottled product contained morphine, codeine, and thebaine.
Tew’s sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date before a U.S. District Court Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton and Special Assistant United States Attorney Jason R. Chandler of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.
Justice Department Announces Results of Operation Iron PursuitRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Department of Justice today announced the results of Operation Iron Pursuit, a one-month, nationwide enforcement effort to find child victims of sex abuse and arrest child sex predators. More than 200 child victims were located and over 350 child sexual abuse offenders were arrested. All 56 FBI field offices and U.S. Attorneys' offices around the country participated in the coordinated takedown effort.
The operation commenced April 1 and ended April 30. The Administration for Children and Families recognizes April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“This operation puts every child predator on notice: we are coming for you,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The sexual exploitation of minors is an abomination with no place in our society. We will hunt down these offenders, hold them fully accountable under the law, and deliver justice for victims.”
“Every single day this FBI is working 24/7 to break networks of child abusers all across this country,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Last year we joined our partners delivering a record year, identifying and rescuing over 6,300 missing children, and today’s announcement of Operation Iron Pursuit is just the latest success in that work — with over 200 victims located and over 350 offenders arrested. Let this be a message to criminal actors who seek to target America’s children: you will be pursued, and you will be brought to justice.”
“There is no greater priority in the District of Utah than protecting and pursuing justice for our children,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “As with this administration, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue vigorously to combat crimes against children and hold offenders accountable.”
“Every child matters and deserves the opportunity to grow up free from harm,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The FBI and our partners will continue working tirelessly to stop those who prey on our most vulnerable and hold them accountable.”
Victims recovered include a 10-year-old from Utah who was flown from Cuba to home and the child’s biological mother. The child was supposed to be on a camping trip with a transgender parent, partner, and another child. The group instead flew from Canada to Mexico and then to Cuba; concerns existed that the 10-year-old child was taken to Cuba for gender reassignment surgery. FBI Victim Services Division (VSD) assisted with the recovery of the children, providing crisis support and stabilization.
Those arrested are alleged to have committed various crimes, including sexual exploitation, sex trafficking, abuse, kidnapping, and possessing, distributing, or receiving child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). Some of the alleged offenders include:
- A Columbus, Ohio, man who pleaded guilty to creating AI-generated obscene material of adults and children and to cyberstalking exes;
- A District of Columbia man charged with producing child pornography;
- A New York man charged with sexually exploiting a child; and
- A Pennsylvania man and former felon charged with sexually exploiting a child and illegally possessing a gun.
This effort follows three other successful operations last year. Operation Relentless Justice, concluded in December 2025, resulted in the rescue of 205 children and arrests of 293 offenders. Operation Enduring Justice, concluded in August 2025, resulted in the rescue of 133 children and the arrests of 234 offenders. And Operation Restore Justice, concluded in May 2025, resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sex abuse offenders.
The FBI’s VSD assisted victims during Operation Iron Pursuit and provided services such as forensic interviews, referrals for medical and mental health resources, and coordination with partners. VSD's mission is to inform, support, and assist victims in navigating the aftermath of crime and the criminal justice process with dignity and resilience.
The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.
The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI's tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Convicted Felon Charged for Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned a superseding indictment charging an alleged child sex offender for receiving sexually explicit images of a child.
According to the allegations in court documents, Brennan Christopher Bennett, 41, of Salt Lake City, was initially indicted in November 2025 after agents located and seized multiple firearms and associated ammunition during the execution of a search warrant in October 2025. Bennett, a convicted felon, is restricted from possessing firearms and ammunition. During the investigation, it was further discovered that on a date unknown, continuing through October 28, 2025, Bennett received sexually explicit images of a child.
Bennett is charged with felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and receipt of child pornography. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 5,2026 at 2:30 p.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.
First Assistant 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 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.
Repeat Child Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years’ Imprisonment for Production of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A repeat child sex offender was sentenced to 300 months’ imprisonment after he produced sexually explicit images and videos of a seven-year-old victim with his cellphone.
Andrew Craig Petersen, 36, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty on August 26, 2025, to production of child pornography.
In addition to Petersen’s term of imprisonment, U.S. District Court Judge Jill N. Parrish, sentenced Petersen to a lifetime of supervised release. Mandatory restitution will be set at a later date.
According to court documents and admissions made at Petersen’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, beginning on June 14, 2023, in the District of Utah, while Petersen was on Utah state court probation for attempted sexual exploitation of a child, he used his cell phone to produce child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Specifically, he took pictures and videos of a seven-year-old female, the child of a woman with whom he was in a relationship. Petersen then uploaded the sexually explicit photos and videos to an online internet address he maintained. As a result, the national Center for Missing and Exploited Children received and relayed information that the defendant was uploading child sexual abuse material.
“Petersen is a repeat child sex offender who preyed on a seven-year-old; he has proven again that he cannot be trusted around children,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “His 25-year sentence is appropriately severe and serves as a stern reminder that crimes against children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case was investigated by the West Jordan Police Department.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Carl R. Hollan and Assistant United States Attorney Carol A. Dain 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.
Alleged Illegal Alien Drug Trafficker from Mexico Indicted After Agents Seize Approximately 240,000 Fentanyl Pills Stashed Inside Wooden FurnitureRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An illegal alien from Mexico was ordered detained by a U.S. Magistrate Judge after he was indicted by a federal grand jury last week following the seizure of approximately 240,000 fentanyl pills hidden inside furniture panels.
FBIAccording to court documents, Crisantos Javier Sotelo Valencia, 27, was residing illegally in West Valley City, Utah, and was arrested on March 3, 2026, during the execution of an arrest warrant for an earlier investigation in which the defendant was indicted in a separate federal drug case. During the execution of the arrest warrant, agents also seized several cell phones from Valencia. On those cell phones, agents found several videos of Valencia with large amounts of U.S. currency and narcotics, including fentanyl. The videos depicted composite wood in ready-to-build furniture where narcotics were concealed inside. Based on a review of body camera footage taken during Valencia’s arrest, agents suspected the furniture was at Valencia’s residence. On March 25, 2026, agents executed a search warrant at the residence where they located and seized bags filled with blue M30 pills, hidden inside wooden panels. The pills field-tested positive for fentanyl. The total weight of the fentanyl seized was 23,701.63 grams, nearly 24 kilos (approximately 240,000 fentanyl pills). Valencia was previously deported on October 30, 2025.
FBIValencia is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. A jury trial is scheduled for July 6, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 3.4 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 FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Assistant United States Attorney Seth Nielsen 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 Aliens from Mexico Indicted for Drug Trafficking in Utah after Agents Seized Nearly 100,000 Fentanyl Pills and Other Narcotics in Homeland Security Task Force OperationRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging two illegal aliens from Mexico with drug crimes after agents with the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force, and Homeland Security Task Force, seized approximately 98,800 fentanyl pills and other illicit drugs during the execution of multiple search warrants.
Eder Montoya-Rosales, aka Jesus Tadeo Gonzalez Estrada, 21, residing illegally in Salt Lake City, and Nazario De Jesus Del Campo Perez, 31, residing illegally in Salt Lake City, were initially charged by complaint on April 9, 2026.
According to the allegations in court documents, beginning in February 2026, agents with the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force initiated a criminal investigation into Montoya-Rosales, Perez, and other members of a drug trafficking organization believed to be distributing large quantities of narcotics in the District of Utah. On April 8, 2026, agents executed multiple search warrants on residences and vehicles believed to be used by the defendants. During the search of Perez’s residence, agents located and seized approximately 9,747.99 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl; 1,330.34 grams of field-tested positive heroin; 84.70 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine; a suspected drug ledger; drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency. The fentanyl evidence is approximately 97,000 fentanyl pills.
During the search of Montoya-Rosales’s vehicle, agents located and seized approximately 184.29 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl; 243.28 grams of field-tested positive heroin, and 15.81 grams of field-tested positive methamphetamine. The fentanyl evidence is approximately 1,800 fentanyl pills. During the search of Montoya-Rosales’s residence, agents located and seized approximately 2.71 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl and a quantity of U.S. currency. Montoya-Rosales was previously removed from the United States on October 1, 2024. Perez has been removed from the United States on multiple occasions, including March 26, 2014, July 26, 2019, and November 5, 2024.
Montoya-Rosales and Perez are charged with multiple charges including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, conspiracy to distribute heroin, and reentry of a previously removed alien. Their initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for April 24, 2026, at 12:30 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.
First Assistant 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 and Homeland Security Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Assistant United States Attorney Seth Nielsen of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
These prosecutions are 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. HSTF Salt Lake comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with the prosecution being led by the United States 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.
Nevada Man Sentenced to 92 Months’ Imprisonment for Drug Trafficking in the District of UtahRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A Nevada man was sentenced to 92 months’ imprisonment for drug crimes after law enforcement seized approximately 30,000 fentanyl pills during a traffic stop in southern Utah in 2023.
The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Ann Marie McIff Allen, comes after Christopher Gerard Ruiz, 42, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty on March 31, 2025, to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Ruiz was sentenced to three years of supervised release. His codefendant, Rachel Marie Aponas, 34, of Las Vegas, was sentenced on May 14, 2025, to 28 months’ imprisonment with credit for time served, and three years of supervised release.
According to court documents and statements made at Ruiz’s sentencing and change of plea hearings, on October 26, 2023, a Utah Highway Patrol trooper made a traffic stop on I-15. Ruiz was the passenger, Aponas was the driver, and three children ages10 and under were in the backseat. Aponas admitted to law enforcement that methamphetamine was in the car. A search was conducted, and law enforcement located in the rear cargo area of the vehicle in a small lunch cooler, packages of blue M-30 pills, which they seized. The pills field-tested positive for fentanyl and weighed 2,700 grams (approximately 30,000 pills). Law enforcement also located and seized a methamphetamine pipe, methamphetamine, multiple cell phones, and a digital scale. An additional analysis by the Utah state crime lab identified the M-30 pills as fentanyl. Both Ruiz and Aponas were arrested, and the children were removed by DCFS.
“The safety of children is a top priority of my office and this administration. The fact that Ruiz and Aponas had three children in the vehicle with illicit drugs, specifically 30,000 fentanyl pills and methamphetamine within arm’s reach is unimaginable,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “Anyone who jeopardizes the safety of children and our communities with poisonous drugs will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case was investigated by the Department of Public Safety, Utah Highway Patrol (DPS-UHP), and the Utah State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
United States Attorney Joseph M. Hood 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.
Utah 10-Year-old Reunited with Biological Mother After Transgender Parent and Partner Allegedly Kidnapped Child to CubaRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Two Utah persons are in federal custody and charged in a federal criminal complaint of International Parental Kidnapping. The pair is accused of allegedly skipping out on a planned camping trip to Canada with a shared custody child and instead took the 10-year-old to Havana, Cuba, without the biological mother’s knowledge or court approval.
Rose Inessa-Ethington aka Eri Ethington, 42, and Blue Inessa-Ethington, aka Carly Ann Crosby, 32, both of Cache County, Utah, were deported from Cuba on Monday with the assistance of the FBI. Upon landing in the United States, the two defendants appeared in court for an arraignment in Richmond, Virginia, and will be transported to the District of Utah at a later date for the remainder of their court case at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
According to court documents, on March 28, 2026, a 10-year-old child was supposed to be traveling by car to Calgary in Alberta, Canada, for a planned camping trip with the minor victim’s biological father Rose Inessa-Ethington, Rose’s partner Blue and Blue’s 3-year-old child. But the group never arrived at their hotel in Calgary or the campground they planned to stay at from March 29 – April 2, 2026. As alleged, the group had not been heard from since March 28, 2026, when the 10-year-old told the biological mother via telephone they arrived in Canada. The biological mother shares custody of the 10-year-old with Rose, her former spouse. On April 3, 2026, the child was supposed to be returned to the biological mother after the camping trip to Calgary, according to the court ordered custody agreement, which did not occur.
According to court documents, on March 29, 2026, the group crossed the U.S. Canada Border and took a flight from Vancouver, Canada to Mexico City, Mexico. On April 1, 2026, the group took another flight from Merida, Mexico to Havana, Cuba. Mexican immigration authorities confirmed their arrival and departures utilizing their U.S. Passports. As alleged in court documents, interviews with the 10-year-old’s family provided significant concerns for the minor’s well-being, as the child was born male, however, identified as a female child, which family members largely believed to be due to manipulation by Rose. Concerns existed that the child was transported to Cuba for gender reassignment surgery prior to puberty. On April 13, 2026, a Utah State Court ordered the 10-year-old to be returned to the child’s mother immediately and granted the mother exclusive custody of the child. On April 16, 2026, Cuban law enforcement located the group in Cuba.
“We are grateful to law enforcement for working swiftly to return the child to the biological mother,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah.
“Our priority in every parental kidnapping case is the safety and well-being of the child," said Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. "This case reflects the strength of partnerships in locating victims, supporting reunification, and ensuring accountability.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Services and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations in Havana played a key role in recovering the minor victim safely, along with the FBI's Mexico City Law Enforcement Attache Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Carlos Esqueda 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 https://www.justice.gov/psc.
A complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Attachments:
ethington_et_al_complaint.pdfAneth Man Found Guilty on all Counts of Child Sex CrimesRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – A federal jury in St. George returned a guilty verdict Friday, April 17, 2026, against a San Juan County, Utah, man after he received and possessed child sexual abuse material (CSAM) while already on supervised release for a 2015 conviction of possession of child pornography.
Johnston Blackhorse, 42, of Aneth, Utah, was charged by indictment on February 10, 2026, with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, in February 2025, while serving a lifetime of supervised release for prior child sex crimes, two probation officers conducted a home visit where Blackhorse lived alone. Pursuant to Blackhorse’s supervised release conditions, the officers conducted an examination of Blackhorse’s computer. Officers discovered that a forensic wiping program had been installed and used on the computer the day of the probation visit. Officers conducted a more thorough examination of the computer and located several files depicting child sexual abuse material in a deleted space. As a result, a search warrant was secured, and the computer was examined by a forensic examiner with Homeland Security Investigations. The examination revealed six images of child sexual abuse material all in a deleted space on the computer. An original file path also showed the file originally existed under Blackhorse’s username, in his Mozilla Firefox folders, and came from child pornography websites. Additional evidence also showed Blackhorse used the computer to access other child pornography files located on a separate electronic storage device that was not recovered during the search of his residence.
Blackhorse’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 18, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. before a U.S. District Court Judge in courtroom 2B at the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher Burton and Joseph M. Hood of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah are 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.
Alien Drug Trafficker from Colombia Sentenced to Five Years’ ImprisonmentRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – An illegal alien from Columbia was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment after he possessed and intended to distribute fentanyl in the District of Utah.
WMDTFThe sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow, comes after David Estiven Alvear Carcamo, 21, residing illegally in Kearns, Utah, pleaded guilty via felony information on January 20, 2026. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Carcamo was sentenced to four years of supervised release. Upon his release from imprisonment, Carcamo 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 Carcamo’s sentencing and change of plea hearings, a search warrant was executed on a residence and vehicle on March 4, 2025. During the search of the vehicle, agents seized approximately 10,000 fentanyl pills, and a handgun. See prior press release: Colombian National Indicted After Agents Seize Approximately 10,000 Fentanyl Pills and a Firearm.
WMDTFFirst Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case was investigated jointly by the Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF), consisting of the FBI and the Davis Metro Narcotics Strike Force (DMNSF).
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.
Illegal Alien from Mexico Indicted for Alleged Drug Trafficking after Law Enforcement Seized Approximately 176 Pounds of NarcoticsRead the Press Release
ST. GEORGE, Utah – a federal grand jury in St. George returned an indictment today charging an illegal alien from Mexico for drug crimes after law enforcement, including agents with the Homeland Security Task Force, seized approximately 176 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop last month.
According to the allegations in court documents, on March 13, 2026, Robert William Galicia-Hernandez, 27, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was pulled over in a black Nissan Sentra for a traffic violation near the Utah/Arizona border. During the traffic stop, A law enforcement K-9 was used to conduct a “sniff” of the vehicle and gave a positive alert to the presence of illegal drugs. A search of the vehicle was conducted and officers located and seized multiple packages of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed approximately 176.6 pounds.
Galicia-Hernandez is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for April 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in courtroom 2B at the courthouse located at 206 West Tabernacle Street, St. George, Utah 84470.
First Assistant United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated by the St. George Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Hurricane Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Brady Wilson 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.
These prosecutions are 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.
Five Alleged Drug Traffickers Indicted, Approximately 52 Pounds of Narcotics Seized by Homeland Security Task ForceRead the Press Release
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned multiple indictments today against four illegal aliens from Mexico and one U.S. citizen for alleged drug trafficking in four separate cases after agents seized approximately 23,759.17 grams of narcotics (approximately 52.38 pounds) total during a two-day period last month.
Jesus Cecilio Ceballos-Mendoza, aka Jesus Cecilio Caballas-Mendoza, 40, and Jesus Ivan Meza-Lopez, aka Manuel Tadeo Olivas-Sanchez, 42, both illegally residing in California, were initially charged by complaint on March 19, 2026. According to the allegations in court documents, in March 2026, law enforcement received information that Ceballos-Mendoza regularly transports large quantities of methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Salt Lake County, Utah. A controlled purchase with an undercover agent was organized and a traffic stop was conducted. During the execution of a search warrant, investigators located and seized approximately 9,355.7 grams of methamphetamine, 1,122.8 grams of heroin, and 439.8 grams of fentanyl inside the vehicle, all of which field-tested positive for their respective controlled substances. Ceballos-Mendoza, and Meza-Lopez are charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Their initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for April 9, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. in courtroom 8.4. The case is being investigated by a DEA Task Force Officer with the Salt Lake Metro Narcotics Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by ATF, Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake, the Salt Lake City Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Luis Angel Cervantes Salinas, 24, of Salt Lake County, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on March 19, 2026. According to the allegations in court documents, On March 18, 2026, agents executed a search warrant at the residence and vehicle of Cervantes Salinas in Salt Lake County. During the search of the residence, agents located and seized approximately 1,678.27 grams of field-tested positive fentanyl, and a 12-gauge shotgun. As a previously convicted felon, Cervantes Salinas, is restricted from possessing a firearm and ammunition. During a search of his vehicle, agents located and seized approximately six grams of field-tested positive fentanyl. Cervantes Salinas was arrested. Cervantes Salinas is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and felon in possession of a firearm. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for April 16, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in courtroom 8.4. The case is being investigated by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF) and the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF).
Juan Carlos Gonzalez Soto, 26, of Mexico, illegally residing in West Valley City, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on March 19, 2026. According to the allegations in court documents, on March 18, 2026, agents executed a search warrant at the residence and vehicle of Gonzalez Soto in West Valley City. During the search of the residence, agents located and seized approximately 2,554 grams of field-tested positive cocaine, and approximately $20,500 of U.S. currency. In the vehicle, agents located and seized approximately six grams of field-tested positive cocaine. Gonzalez Soto was arrested a short distance away from the residence. Upon being booked at the Davis County Jail, agents also found approximately 31.6 grams of cocaine on Gonzalez-Soto. He is charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. His initial appearance on the indictment is scheduled for April 9, 2026, at 10:45 a.m. in courtroom 8.4. The case is being investigated by the FBI Wasatch Metro Drug Task Force (WMDTF), and Homeland Security Task Force. Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Jose Francisco Aguilar Lozano, 37, of Mexico, was initially charged by complaint on March 23, 2026. According to the allegations in court documents, on March 20, 2026, local law enforcement conducted a traffic stop for a traffic violation on a tractor truck and trailer on Interstate 80 near Park City. Aguilar Lozano was the driver and sole occupant of the tractor truck. During the traffic stop, a K-9 alerted for the odor of narcotics on the tractor truck. During the search, officers located a black backpack with rectangle shaped bundles wrapped in black tape or plastic. Homeland Security Investigators arrived on scene and arrested Aguilar Lozano. The bundles in the backpack were seized, and the substance tested positive for fentanyl. In total, eight bundles were seized with a combined weight of approximately 8.565 kilograms. Aguilar Lozano is charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. A three-day jury trial is scheduled for June 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 8.1. The case is being investigated jointly by a Homeland Security Investigations agent assigned to the Homeland Security Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
All hearing for each case will be held 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 Organized Crime Section in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the cases.
These cases are 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.
These prosecutions are 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.