Region 5 November, 2016
CategoriesUncategorized
On August 22, 2016, a suspect, Salvador Santana-Aceves, age 29, was arrested in the St. George area on I-15, near mile marker 2, after traffic violations. Information obtained and observations made by Utah Highway Patrol led Officers to suspect Mr. Aceves was involved in transporting drugs.
A K-9 search of the vehicle by the Utah Highway Patrol subsequently led to the discovery of a hidden compartment in the rear of Aceves vehicle. In the compartment, UHP officers found that it contained approximately 18 packages of suspected crystal meth. The approximate value of the crystal meth was placed at $900,000.00. The total weight of meth found in the vehicle was 28 pounds.
Avceves subsequently admitted he had been hired to drive the car from California to Michigan knowing that it contained some type of drug.
The state case against Aceves was dismissed and the US Attorney’s Office agreed to prosecute the case federally. Aceves has plead not guilty and is expected to appear before the court, from jail, on November 7, 2016 for a two-day trial that will take place in St. George, Utah.
The last week of August was extremely busy for the Iron/Garfield/Beaver Counties Narcotics Task Force (IGBNTF). The five member team was able to make 6 felony arrests for distribution of Methamphetamine and Heroin in Iron County alone.
Angel Garcia, Age 22, was arrested on August 26, 2016, and charged with three (3) counts of Distribute/Offer/Arrange Distribution of Controlled Substance, 2nd Degree Felony; two (2) counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute, Second Degree Felony and; Purchase, Transfer Possess or Use of a Firearm by a Restricted Person, Third Degree Felony.
Erik Gonzalez, age 22, was arrested on August 30, 2016, and charged with Distribute/Offer/Arrange Distribution of Controlled Substance, 3rd Degree Felony; Possession/Use of a Controlled substance, Class A Misdemeanor; Possession/Use of a Controlled Substance, Class B Misdemeanor.
Keith Barrickman, age 35, was arrested and charged with two (2) counts of Distribute/Offer/Arrange Distribution of Controlled Substance, 2nd Degree Felony; and Possession of Heroin, Class A Misdemeanor.
Feather Strand, age 36, was arrested on August 31, 2016, and charged with seven (7) counts of Distribute/Offer/Arrange Distribution of Controlled Substance, 2nd Degree Felony and Possession/Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Class B Misdemeanor.
On September 20, 2016, Vanisa Cleveland, age 19, was convicted of Attempted Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, 3rd Degree Felony; two(2) counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance Class A Misdemeanor; and three (3) counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class B Misdemeanor.
On September 27, 2016, Brandon Birdsell age 19, was convicted of Attempted Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, 3rd Degree Felony; Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor; Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class B Misdemeanor; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The IGBNTF is a tight knit, hard-working group who is proactive in their community’s fight against drugs.