ST. GEORGE — A St. George man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly breaking into a utility trailer in Santa Clara and stealing construction tools located inside.
William Frank Owen, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted March 14, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
William Frank Owen, 25, was charged with third-degree felony theft along with two class B misdemeanors for possession of burglary tools and criminal mischief involving intentional damage to property, according to information filed by the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
Owen used bolt cutters to cut the locks off a parked utility trailer with the intent of committing theft, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Santa Clara-Ivins Police Department in support of the arrest.
The owner of the trailer notified police after reportedly watching Owen take construction tools from the trailer and place them in a backpack, the report states.
When Owen was apprehended by police on North Lava Cove Drive just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, he admitted to breaking into the trailer to steal the tools, the arresting officer wrote in the sworn statement.
Owen was arrested and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. He remains in police custody as this report publishes and is scheduled to appear before Judge John Walton in 5th District Court Monday.
According to Utah Court documents, Owen has a criminal history involving theft and drug-related offenses.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A Southern Utah man was arrested on first-degree felony drug distribution charges Friday following the execution of a search warrant by the Washington County Drug Task Force.
Stanley Eugene Swickey, of Hurricane, Utah, booking photo posted March 16, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The task force conducted a narcotics distribution investigation into 52-year-old Stanley Swickey, of Hurricane, and executed a search warrant of his residence on the 800 South block of 100 West, according to a probable cause statement filed by the task force in support of the arrest.
During a search of Swickey’s bedroom, authorities allegedly located a black bag on his bed that contained four large baggies and a smaller baggie with a white crystal substance inside that later tested positive for methamphetamine, the arresting officer wrote in the sworn statement, adding:
Also inside this zipper bag was a large amount of small empty baggies that connote distribution.
Authorities also allegedly located $1,113 in cash, along with a marijuana joint, a glass pipe with meth residue, a clear container that also contained meth and a digital scale on bedside table, the report states.
“The fact that this methamphetamine weighed consistent with a distributable amount, along with the presence of many empty baggies, a scale and cash, probable cause exist to charge Stanley (Swickey) with intent to distribute,” the officer wrote. “Due to Stanley’s significant criminal history as it relates to (drug) distribution and possession with intent, this offense has been enhanced to a first-degree felony.”
Swickey was arrested and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Swickey of first-degree felony drug possession with the intent to distribute, class A misdemeanor drug possession and class B misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Swickey was subsequently released from police custody on $25,000 bail pending trial. He is scheduled to appear before 5th District Judge G. Michael Westfall Monday for his next court appearance.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A St. George man was arrested Friday after allegedly breaking into a St. George apartment and stealing the resident’s dog.
Officers responded to a residence on the 80 South block of 1000 East on a report of a burglary in which the resident had returned home from work to find someone had broken into his home and stole his dog that he bought for $3,000, according to a probable cause statement filed by St. George Police in support of the arrest.
Nicholas Edward Warner, of St. George, Utah, booking photo, March 16, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The resident told authorities he suspected that a former roommate – identified as Nicholas Warner, 20, of St. George – had broken into the residence to steal his dog, using a numerical code on the front door lock that had not been changed, the report states.
Officers later located Warner at his new residence on the 3400 South block of Barcelona Drive, according to the statement.
When questioned, Warner admitted that he went to the apartment to get a haircut from another roommate who ended up being out of town and, while there, took the dog, the arresting officer wrote in the sworn statement, adding:
Nicholas (Warner) heard the dog whining in Tony’s room and, having lived in the same room as (the resident) previously, he knew that (the resident) was abusive toward his dog. Therefore, he took the dog and then proceeded to ‘wipe down’ and clean up after himself so that he wouldn’t leave any evidence behind.
Warner further told police he was preparing to give the dog to a girl, so it would be taken care of properly, but that plan fell through when the girl could no longer take the dog, the officer wrote.
After placing Warner under arrest for stealing the dog, authorities located a plastic baggie containing marijuana on his person, the report states.
Warner was transported and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Warner of second-degree felony burglary of a dwelling, third-degree felony theft and two class B misdemeanor counts of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Warner was subsequently released from police custody on $16,360 bail pending trial. He is scheduled to appear before 5th District Judge G. Michael Westfall Monday for his initial court appearance.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A St. George mother was arrested for child endangerment Wednesday after three of her four young children allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine.
Britnie Alice Leonard, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted March 21, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
On March 8, St. George Police detectives were assigned to follow up on a child abuse case after receiving a tip from the Division of Child and Family Services that a mother had been using methamphetamine around her children in the family’s RV on the 2700 East block of 350 North, according to a probable cause statement filed by St. George Police in support of the arrest.
The mother, identified as 35-year-old Britnie Alice Leonard, was questioned by police after hair samples were taken from her four children and three of the children tested positive for meth, the arresting officer wrote in the sworn statement. Leonard subsequently denied smoking meth around her children.
During the investigation, authorities reportedly listened to incriminating statements made during jail phone recordings between Britnie Leonard and her husband, 31-year-old Dennis Leonard, who was arrested Feb. 5 and incarcerated at Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility for aggravated assault, the report states.
In the recordings, Dennis Leonard allegedly admitted that he and his wife had smoked meth around the couple’s children, according to the statement. During the conversation, Britnie Leonard reportedly tells Dennis Leonard she did not smoke meth around the kids but talks about having knowledge that her husband and others did.
Dennis Leonard, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted March 19, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
When Dennis Leonard was interviewed at the jail March 19 by police, he allegedly admitted that he had used meth in the couple’s RV where he lived with his wife and children and that he put “up blankets to prevent the smoke from getting to his kids,” the officer wrote.
Britnie Leonard was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Britnie Leonard of four third-degree felony counts of endangerment of a child. She is scheduled to appear before 5th District Judge John Walton Thursday afternoon for her initial appearance.
A third-degree felony count of child endangerment was added to Dennis Leonard’s charges Monday.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
CEDAR CITY — A man whose home caught fire New Year’s Eve has been charged with intentionally setting the blaze.
Clare Eugene Prisbrey booking photo, Cedar City, Utah, March 27, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar City News/St. George News
Investigators said Clare Eugene Prisbrey, 52, deliberately started the fire at his home at 1074 Mill Hollow Way.
Firefighters were called to the scene about 10:20 p.m. on Dec. 31 and spent the next several hours extinguishing the fire.
The two-story, 2,782-square foot residence was considered a total loss, authorities said.
After determining they had probable cause to make an arrest, Cedar City Police took Prisbrey into custody Tuesday evening and booked him into the Iron County Jail on suspicion of aggravated arson, a first-degree felony.
Cedar City Police Lt. Jimmy Roden said from the onset, investigators noticed “suspicious things in the home that were not typical for just a normal house fire.”
Roden said he couldn’t speak to specific details regarding the evidence, but said local police and fire authorities were assisted by investigators from the Utah State Fire Marshal’s office in collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses over the past several weeks.
“Some of the evidence didn’t come to light until recently,” Roden added. “We have responsibility to be thorough to ensure that we’re making the correct decisions.
“I can’t speak to their investigation, but we really do lean heavily on their findings as far as point of origin, whether or not there was accelerators present and those kinds of things.”
An initial information was filed in Fifth Judicial District Court Wednesday by Iron County Attorney Scott Garrett. According to that document, Prisbrey currently resides in Enoch. He will be represented by Gary W. Pendelton, who filed notice as Prisbrey’s counsel with the court Friday.
Aggravated arson is punishable by up to 25 years to life in prison without parole.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A Hurricane man charged with stealing food, water and electricity from his neighbors was arrested Tuesday after a fire brought police to his place of residence.
Anthony James Jessop, 43 was charged with multiple offenses in 5th District Court Thursday, including a second-degree felony count of burglary and misdemeanor counts of theft of services, burning without a permit and theft.
Anthony James Jessop, 43, of Hurricane, Utah, bookings photo posted May 29, 2018 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Firefighters responded to a fire reported near a trailer in the area of 505 North 50 W. in Hurricane and quickly extinguished the blaze.
Police were also dispatched to the fire and were advised by the fire officials that the person who started the fire said he was burning weeds in the yard, according to court documents, which is prohibited unless done during open burn season.
Officers recognized Jessop as he was exiting the trailer, according to the probable cause statement written in support of his arrest.
A records check showed an active warrant for Jessop, and officers placed him under arrest for the warrant and illegal burning.
The warrant arrest stems from a 2017 case in which Jessop failed to appear in court on two charges, including misdemeanor charges of failing to stop at an officer’s command and interfering with an arrest and an infraction for disorderly conduct.
Officers looking over the burn area noticed what appeared to be wire under some yard debris, according to the police statement. Police said when confronted about it, Jessop said he was burning weeds and the wire must have been under the vegetation, allegedly unbeknownst to him at the time.
Map shows location of trailer located at 505 North 50 W. indicated by a red pin in Hurricane, Utah | Image courtesy of Google Earth, St. George News
Officers also located a garden hose that ran from Jessop’s trailer to a hose connection located in an empty lot next door, according to the statement. A portion of the hose opposite the trailer was partially buried, which police said they believed was done in an attempt to hide it.
In a witness statement, the next-door neighbor told officers that the hose was one that went missing from his property.
Officers also received multiple reports from Jessop’s neighbors that the suspect had allegedly been stealing water and electricity using hoses and extension cords.
When questioned about the water, Jessop allegedly replied, “You can’t steal water, it’s free.”
Officers checked the home and located several items previously reported stolen, according to the police statement, including a bicycle valued at $600 matching the description of one taken during a residential burglary reported the week before a few blocks away.
The person whose bike was allegedly stolen also reported several other items missing, including spoons, eggs, milk and other food items. Police noted in the probable cause statement that a freshly broken egg was located outside near Jessop’s trailer.
This report is based on statements from police or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
WASHINGTON CITY — The Washington City Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying whoever is responsible for the theft of a utility trailer containing thousands of dollars in tools from a construction site in Washington City either Thursday night or early Friday morning.
Officers responded to a construction site in the Coral Canyon area Friday morning on report of a theft involving a Journey 8-foot cargo/utility trailer that was taken from the work site, Washington City Police Lt. Jason Williams said.
The trailer contained about $4,000 worth of tools at the time it was stolen, he said.
As detectives processed the scene for evidence, they were unable to collect any photos or video surveillance footage from the job site itself, WIlliams said, but they are in the process of checking the surrounding area for any off-site cameras that may have captured the theft on video.
Through the course of the initial investigation, officers determined that the suspect(s) likely pulled into the job site and backed up a vehicle to line up with the trailer.
This undated photo shows an 8-foot utility trailer that was taken from a construction site in the Coral Canyon area early Friday morning in Washington City, Utah | Photo courtesy of Andrea Barrera, St. George News
“They just hooked it up and then drove off with it,” Williams said.
Due to a recent rise in the number of thefts being reported at this time, Williams said, the police department recommends that all vehicles, personal belongings, tools and even utility trailers be secured or removed from work sites.
Construction site thefts in particular have recently seen a dramatic spike, Williams said.
“Anything that isn’t locked down tight can be taken,” he said.
Anyone with information that might help police identify and locate the individual(s) responsible for the theft is urged to call the Washington City Police Department at 435-986-1515.
ST. GEORGE — A Parowan woman was arrested Friday after photos posted on Facebook identified her as the suspect allegedly responsible for using stolen credit card information to make purchases at various stores.
Ashley Ann Braget, 28, of Parowan, booking photo posted in Iron County, Utah, Feb. 15, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News / Cedar City News
Ashley Ann Braget, 28, was booked into the Iron County Jail on multiple offenses involving forgery, theft and the unlawful use of a finance card after she turned herself in to Cedar City Police.
Braget’s arrest stems from two unrelated cases that took place in November and December of last year.
In the most recent incident, officers were dispatched Thursday to the Tink’s Superior Auto Parts store in Cedar City to investigate a reported fraud after the store received a call from an individual contesting multiple charges on their credit card.
According to the probable cause statement written in support of the arrest, a white woman with an Hispanic male used “multiple stolen credit card numbers” over the course of six weeks from Nov. 2 through Dec. 23, 2018, to purchase more than $4,000 dollars’ worth of merchandise.
In each instance, store employees told police “they believed it was the same two individuals using the stolen credit card numbers,” according to the statement, which notes that the couple was captured on video recorded inside of the auto parts store.
Images from the video were later posted on Facebook to help identify the individuals. Shortly thereafter, a number of tips came in identifying the white woman as Braget. The Hispanic male she was with has not yet been identified by police.
Investigators connect dots in unrelated case
On Nov. 2, 2018, in a case unrelated to the auto parts store investigation, police were called to Ron’s Sporting Goods on Main Street in Cedar City on report that a stolen credit card was used to purchase a handgun for $980 by a woman later identified as Braget, according to court records. Officers focused on recovering the handgun after they learned that Braget allegedly lied on the background check paperwork she completed prior to the purchase.
Photos show Ashley Braget and a Hispanic male police have yet to identify in connection with alleged credit card fraud. Image captured at Tink’s Superior Auto Parts in Cedar City, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Cedar City Police Department, St. George News / Cedar City News
Unable to locate the defendant at the time, the case was forwarded to another detective who became aware that Braget was involved in the unrelated incident at the auto parts store and began working with the investigator in that case to locate her. Not long after police posted the images from the auto parts store on Facebook, Braget turned herself in.
When police began to question Braget, court documents indicate she asked for an attorney, and the interview was terminated.
The defendant was arrested and booked into the Iron County Jail on both cases and faces a total of 21 third-degree felony offenses, including 11 counts of unlawful acquisition/possession/transfer of a finance card and 10 counts of forgery. She was also charged with one count of third-degree felony theft and one class A misdemeanor count of theft.
At the time of this report, Braget remains in jail with bail requirements of $15,000.
This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
St. George News reporter Joseph Witham contributed to this report.
ST. GEORGE — A Santa Clara man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly leading officers from two agencies on a vehicle pursuit followed by a foot chase that ended with a trip to jail Tuesday night.
At about 10 p.m. a Santa Clara-Ivins Police officer observed a motorcycle heading east on Old Highway 91 at 102 mph, according to the probable cause statement filed in support of the arrest. The posted speed limit on that stretch of the highway is 40 mph.
The officer got behind the bike with lights and sirens activated, but instead of pulling over, the rider, identified as Ren Robinson, 22, continued on at a high rate of speed with the officer in pursuit, the statement said.
A deputy with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was heading west on the highway when he spotted the eastbound bike and made a U-turn to assist.
During the chase, police say the rider crossed over the double-yellow lines while passing slower vehicles and nearly struck a number of cars traveling in the opposite direction.
Ren Clay Robinson booking photo posted in Washington County, Utah, March 12, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The report says “the driver’s actions showed wanton disregard for other’s safety and (he) almost hit multiple vehicle head-on.”
The pursuit was terminated at that point for safety reasons.
Meanwhile, a witness reported seeing the motorcycle turn on Lava Flow Lane heading south toward Country Lane where Robinson reportedly lives.
Once the defendant saw police he allegedly dumped the bike and started running until one of the officers caught up to Robinson and tackled him.
The defendant continued to wrestle with the officer until backup arrived and he was handcuffed and taken into custody before being transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility on several offenses, according to the probable cause statement.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office Wednesday filed one third-degree felony charge of failing to stop at command of police and one misdemeanor charge of failing to stop at the command of law enforcement, which was downgraded from the felony offense proposed in the probable cause statement.
He also faces two class B misdemeanor charges for reckless driving and interfering with an arresting officer, and was charged for driving with the wrong class of license, an infraction.
Robinson was being held on $10,000 bail and then released Wednesday afternoon. He is scheduled to appear Friday in 5th District Court in St. George.
This report is based on statements from police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — Two men are facing felony arson and theft charges after allegedly stealing a truck and setting it on fire in the desert near St. George Monday.
A Lincoln truck is burned following a fire in the desert near Navajo Drive, Washington County, Utah, May 13, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Adam Heyder, St. George News
Jarrett Huddleston, 25, of St. George, was charged with two second-degree felonies, including one count of arson and one count of theft. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of theft. Timothy Maas, 31, of St. George, was also charged with two second-degree felonies, including one count of arson and one count of theft.
Both defendants made an initial appearance in 5th District Court before Judge John J. Walton Friday and remain in custody on $20,000 bail each.
The arrests stem from an incident Monday wherein authorities received reports of a vehicle fire on the unpaved portion of Navajo Drive at around 6:45 a.m. Responders arrived to find a 2006 Lincoln Mark LT pickup truck completely burned.
Police determined the truck belonged to a man living in St. George who was unaware that the vehicle was missing, leading officers to believe it had been stolen from the driveway of the residence at some point the night before.
Jarrett Huddleston, 25, of St. George, booking photo posted in Washington County, Utah, May 16, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Investigators processed the scene for evidence in order to determine whether the truck was set on fire intentionally.
Officers conducted a canvas on Navajo Drive where they located a residence with a camera facing the street. The footage showed a vehicle matching the description of the stolen truck traveling west on Navajo Drive at 5:46 a.m., with a white pickup truck following close behind, according to the probable cause statements filed in support of the defendants’ charges.
About 23 minutes later, the white pickup was allegedly observed heading east on the same road at a high rate of speed — 10 minutes before fire was reported — leading officers to believe the truck’s occupants were somehow involved in the vehicle theft.
Three days after the incident was reported, police received anonymous information indicating Huddleston and Maas were possibly involved. Both men were already in jail on unrelated charges stemming from an arrest earlier that day.
At the time of the unrelated incident, the defendants were following each other in separate trucks on northbound Interstate 15 and were stopped after an officer observed the two vehicles crossing over the border into Utah from Arizona. During the stop, police determined that Huddleston’s truck had stolen plates, according to the statement. A K-9 unit unit dispatched to the scene also allegedly indicated the presence of drugs in both vehicles.
During a search of the vehicles, officers allegedly found PCP in Huddleston’s truck and methamphetamine in Maas’s pickup. The men were arrested and transported to jail, and both pickup trucks were impounded.
Investigators on the arson case went to the tow yard where Huddleston’s truck was being stored and noted that the body, color and overall appearance matched the suspect vehicle shown in the footage on Navajo Drive. Officers also found property allegedly stolen from the Lincoln prior to it being set on fire.
Timothy Maas, 31, of St. George, booking photo posted in Washington County, Utah, May 16, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Additionally, police stated that shoe impressions taken at the scene were consistent with the tread pattern shown in photographs of Huddleston’s shoes taken at the jail.
During a police interview conducted at the jail, Huddleston reportedly confirmed the white pickup was his but denied driving the truck at the time of the incident and eventually terminated the interview.
In a separate interview at the jail, police state that Maas initially denied being with Huddleston on the night in question. However, after investigators found the tread pattern on Maas’s shoes to match impressions taken at the scene, police write that Maas “admitted he had been involved in the theft.”
Huddleston’s criminal history dates back to 2015 when he was charged with one third-degree felony count of rioting and a misdemeanor assault charge, to which he pleaded guilty after the felony was dismissed. From there, he was convicted in four more cases involving misdemeanor drug and theft-related crimes.
Maas’s criminal history spans more than a decade and includes 14 cases dating back to 2009 that culminate in more than two dozen convictions for burglary, theft, drug possession and other related crimes.
Huddleston is scheduled to appear in 5th District court Tuesday, while Maas’s next appearance is set for Thursday. In Utah, a second-degree felony conviction can result in a prison term of 1-15 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
St. George News reporter Mikayla Shoup contributed to this report.
ST. GEORGE —Two of the three defendants arrested in April for fleeing from police in a stolen truck hauling snowmobiles appeared in 5th District Court this week to plead guilty, while a $50,000 arrest warrant was issued for the third defendant who failed to appear.
L-R: Brian Knowlton, Sara Autumn Dickinson and Rodney Ian Watkins booking photos, Washington County, Utah, April 16, 2019 | Photos courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Sarah Dickinson, 28, appeared before 5th District Court Judge John J. Walton Monday to plead guilty to one second-degree felony charge of receiving/transferring a stolen vehicle and third-degree felony theft, while three remaining counts of receiving/transferring a stolen vehicle were dismissed in accordance with the plea agreement.
Rodney Ian Watkins, 36, pleaded guilty to three second-degree felony charges of receiving/transferring a stolen vehicle while three charges, including two counts of receiving/transferring a stolen vehicle and a theft by receiving charge were dismissed.
Meanwhile, Brian Knowlton, 41, failed to appear for arraignment Thursday and a $50,000 warrant was issued for his arrest.
The incident leading to the charges began the afternoon of April 12 when a man called 911 to report that a snowmobile and utility trailer his family had reported stolen six weeks prior was observed in the Dixie Downs area of St. George being pulled behind a Dodge pickup truck.
A Utah Highway Patrol trooper traveling south on state Route 18 spotted the truck with the three suspects inside and performed a traffic stop on the vehicle, which fled as the trooper approached.
A pursuit ensued and shortly thereafter the trailer being hauled behind the truck was found abandoned. Inside were three snowmobiles and a motorcycle, all of which had been reported stolen.
Three snowmobiles and a motorcycle, all reported stolen, were found inside a stolen utility trailer, Washington County, Utah, April 12, 2019 | Submitted photo, St. George News
A search for the suspects continued for hours with officers from multiple agencies, including a helicopter crew that conducted an aerial search.
Dickinson was located at 11 p.m. and arrested on warrants. He provided information on the two other suspects until additional charges were added when police determined she was allegedly involved in the crime.
During the investigation Knowlton told officers it was Watkins who took the truck after looking through several other cars parked at a housing complex in St. George. Both men were located and taken into custody days later.
Dickinson is scheduled to appear for sentencing July 25 while Watkins will be sentenced July 30 and pre-sentence reports were ordered in the two cases. Both defendants remain in custody as this report publishes and Knowlton is still at large.
ST. GEORGE — A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Washington City man who is accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old girl.
Rex Roberts, 64, was charged Thursday with first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child. A $50,000 warrant was issued for his arrest after police were unable to locate him Friday.
The charges were filed after a woman went to the Washington City Police Department in early May to report the alleged sex offense involving Roberts and the child.
The woman told police that she became aware of the alleged abuse when the child kept grabbing the woman’s hand and placing it near her crotch area. When the woman questioned the child about her behavior, she told her Roberts touched her in that area.
The child then described incidents of sexual abuse, according to the affidavit filed in support of the warrant. The woman contacted police right away, and a forensic interview was conducted with the child. Shortly thereafter, investigators arranged to interview Roberts at the police station.
Rex Roberts, 64, of Washington City, booking photo posted in Washington County, Utah, Jan. 26, 2019 | File photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
During the interview with Roberts, police say he denied the allegations and told officers he never touched the child inappropriately, explaining that arthritis would have prevented him from doing so.
He also told police he would be willing to take a polygraph, according to the affidavit, but when he was advised that the test was scheduled, he refused to come in, telling police he wanted to consult with an attorney first.
After the investigation, police submitted a probable cause statement to the court for review, and Roberts was subsequently charged.
This is Roberts’ second recent brush with the law. He was charged with a second-degree felony early last year after allegedly purchasing a Cadillac from a dealership with a bad check in the amount of $56,200. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was later arrested when he failed to appear for sentencing. The case is still pending in the courts.
This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A Washington City man accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old girl was arrested Tuesday after a tip led police to his location.
Rex Roberts, 64, of Washington City, booking photo posted in Washington County, Utah, July 2, 2019 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Rex Roberts, 64, who has been charged with first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child, was taken into custody at 3 p.m. during a traffic stop near Telegraph Street after officers received information he was staying at a residence in the area, Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams told St. George News.
“We had someone who called in with an address off of Telegraph,” Williams said. “So while officers were en route to that location, they spotted Roberts driving a white Jeep and made the stop.”
A warrant for his arrest was issued after a woman went to the Washington City Police Department in early May to report the alleged sex offense involving Roberts and the child.
The woman told police that she became aware of the alleged abuse when the child kept grabbing the woman’s hand and placing it near her groin area. When questioned, the child said Roberts touched her in that area while describing incidents of sexual abuse, according to the affidavit filed in support of the warrant.
During an interview with Roberts, police say he denied the allegations and told officers he never touched the child inappropriately, explaining that arthritis would have prevented him from doing so.
Roberts told police he would be willing to take a polygraph, according to the affidavit, but when he was advised that the test was scheduled, he refused to come in, telling police he wanted to consult with an attorney first.
After the investigation, police submitted a probable cause statement to the court for review. Roberts was subsequently charged June 20, and the warrant was issued.
At the time the warrant was issued, police were unable to locate the defendant at his residence, Williams said, adding that officers continued following up on leads until the tip came in Tuesday.
Roberts was transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane where he remains on $50,000 bail.
This report is based on statements from police and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A man involved in several burglaries who reportedly marked the places he’d been with skunk spray was sentenced for his crimes Wednesday.
Brayden Brooks, 30, appeared in 5th District Court for sentencing on the second-degree charge of felony burglary of a dwelling after he was arrested Feb. 4 for trespassing and burglarizing homes and cars. One victim whose vehicle was burglarized reported that skunk spray had been sprayed inside the vehicle. Another homeowner in the area reported that skunk spray had been sprayed inside his house by the back door.
Brooks said that he had marked the areas that he had been to with the skunk spray in order for police to find him, and that he had covered himself with the spray as well to protect himself, according to police.
As part of the plea agreement, 12 charges were dismissed, including third-degree felony of unlawful acquisition of a financial transaction charge and seven class A misdemeanors for two counts of criminal trespass, two counts of theft, unlawful possession of another’s identification documents, burglary of a vehicle and failure to stop at the command of a law enforcement officer.
Brayden Brooks, 30, of St. George booking photo taken in Washington County Feb. 4, 2019 | File photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Four class B misdemeanors for two counts of criminal mischief, interference with an arresting officer and possession of drug paraphernalia were also dismissed, and in an unrelated case, one count of possession of a controlled substance within a correctional facility was also dismissed.
The recommendations included in the presentence report submitted to the court proposed 48 months of probation and 300 days in jail, with credit of 84 days for time served.
Prosecutor Mark Barlow said those recommendations should be followed, adding the defendant has been given multiple opportunities to participate in substance abuse and other alternative treatment programs in prior cases, which he has failed to do successfully. Instead, he continues to commit new crimes, Barlow said, “and we end up right back here in court.”
Brooks’ attorney, Ed Flint, countered by saying his client should not be judged on past mistakes, adding that it is similar to beating a dog for what they did six months ago.
Flint also said his client is making great progress and has so far done very well while in treatment at Lions Gate Recovery, where he completed a 30-day residential treatment program and is now in outpatient treatment. Flint added that Brooks is drug tested regularly, and all tests have been negative for any alcohol or drugs.
Flint agreed on the recommendation of 48 months of supervised probation but said the 300-day jail sentence would only hinder his client’s progress in treatment, adding “he is doing so well.” Flint instead suggested that he receive 60 days over 30 weekends.
A representative from Lions Gate confirmed with the court that Brooks is scheduled to continue the outpatient portion of treatment until the middle of August. A small crowd of a dozen or more individuals from the treatment facility were in the courtroom to support the defendant, who also addressed the court.
Brooks said he is willing to do “whatever this court wants me to do.” He acknowledged his actions and said he is responsible for the crimes but added that he would have never committed them if he was clean and sober.
“I know my crimes were very serious,” he said.
Judge Westfall ultimately followed the presentence report recommendations and ordered Brooks to serve 300 days in jail and placed him on 48 months of supervised probation. Brooks was also ordered to write an apology letter to the victims as well as the corrections officers at the jail and pay a $500 fine.
According to the ruling, 35 days spent in residential treatment would be credited to Brooks’ jail term, along with the 86 days he has already served.
Westfall then set the case over for six weeks to allow the defendant to continue in treatment and to evaluate his progress. During the hearing set for Sept. 18 the jail sentence would addressed.
The judge also said that a majority of the property was returned to the victims, and while there was mention of a problem with a skunk smell from the victims, “there does not appear to be restitution for that.” No restitution was ordered in the case.
ST. GEORGE — A local man was charged with robbery and assault after a welfare check Thursday evening turned into a chase through the parking lot of Dixie Regional Medical Center that culminated in the suspect attempting to overtake a vehicle driven by a woman and her small child.
Reilley Perez, 27, of St. George, booking photo taken in Washignton County, Utah, Jul. 25, 2019 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
At 7:30 p.m., an officer working at Dixie Regional Medical Center was notified that a man, later identified as 27-year-old Reilley Perez, ran out of the hospital with an IV still in his arm. The man was reportedly under the influence of methamphetamine and opioids when he entered the hospital, and his departure presented safety concerns with him having an IV in place while in an uncontrolled environment.
Additional officers were called to the scene at that point for assistance, according to the probable cause statement submitted by police in support of the arrest.
After exiting the medical center, the officer saw the suspect standing on top of a vehicle located at the end of the parking lot, and as soon as Perez saw police, he jumped off the car and started running.
At that point, officers had no information leading them to believe that a crime had taken place, and St. George Police Officer Ken Childs said they told Perez he just needed to have the IV removed for his safety.
“We were basically doing a welfare check on the guy since he was running around with the IV still in his arm,” Childs told St. George News.
Undaunted, Perez continued to evade officers as he approached an unoccupied Cadillac and struck the driver’s side front window “very hard with his elbow, “ Childs said, adding that it appeared he was trying to get into the car.
When the blow to the window failed to break the glass, the suspect continued south on foot where he approached a Jeep heading out of the parking lot and allegedly struck the passenger side window.
Childs said the driver did not see Perez until she heard the bang on her window.
“The noise was so loud she thought she might have hit something at first, so she stopped the car.”
The suspect jumped in the Jeep and started yelling for the driver to “go, go, go,” the report said. Instead of complying, the woman yelled at Perez and told him to get out of the vehicle and then started to hit him as she continued yelling.
“The driver was really scared,” Childs said, “and she had her small child in the car when this happened.”
Perez jumped out of the Jeep and started running through the parking lot until he was spotted by staff members, at which point he began yelling and attempting to hit the employees just as officers closed in and ordered him to stop.
When Perez failed to comply, officers used force to finally subdue him, and he was taken into custody and transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility where he remains on $15,000 bail.
Perez was charged with one second-degree felony count of robbery, along with four misdemeanors, including one count of assault/threat of violence on a health care worker, criminal mischief, interference with an arresting officer and intoxication.
Childs added the suspect was booked on the robbery offense due to the “use of force or fear to deprive someone of something.”
“He terrified this woman when he jumped in her car and tried to force her to drive.”
The incident took less than 10 minutes from start to finish, Childs said, “so at least it was resolved quickly.”
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.
ST. GEORGE —A 22-year-old man appeared in court and pleaded guilty to two charges after allegedly pointing kitchen knives at a pizza delivery woman during an incident reported in April of last year.
After a series of continuances and rescheduled hearings, David Vova Wiegand, 22, appeared Thursday in 5th District Court for an arraignment hearing on first-degree felony aggravated robbery, third-degree felony aggravated assault and a misdemeanor charge for failure to stop at command of law enforcement.
Wiegand’s defense attorney, Aric Cramer, addressed the court by saying there is an offer on the table where the state agreed to drop the third-degree felony aggravated assault charge in exchange for a guilty plea on an amended second-degree felony count of attempted aggravated robbery and the misdemeanor charge of failing to stop at command of law enforcement.
The charges stem from an incident reported April 30, 2018, when a Domino’s pizza delivery woman arrived at an apartment located in the Red Rock Ridge student housing complex. When there was no answer at the door, the delivery woman started walking back to her car when the defendant allegedly approached the woman with his face painted a dark color asking about the pizza. After refusing to pay for the order, he pulled out two kitchen knives – one for each hand.
“He told her to ‘put the food down, and no one would get hurt,’” court documents say.
David Vova Wiegand, 20, booking photo taken in Washington County, Utah, April 30, 2018 | file photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The delivery woman pulled out a taser that she sparked in his direction to scare him away, which is when Wiegand fled the area on foot. He was found hiding under a car a short time later by police who also found the two kitchen knives nearby.
When police asked him about the alleged assault, Wiegand told the officers he could not remember anything that happened that night. He was later arrested and booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility and was released the following day after posting a $25,000 bond.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Cramer stipulated that his client would serve no more than one year in jail, with a prison sentence taken off the table, to which the state agreed.
Additionally, the defense attorney said his client wanted to be sentenced as soon as possible, waiving the 45-day limit that exists between conviction of the charges and sentencing, advising the court that Wiegand now lives out of state. Wiegand then entered a guilty plea on both charges.
District Judge John J. Walton ordered a pre-sentence report, which will include information on Wiegand’s background and current situation, any criminal history and the findings of an assessment conducted to determine the chances of the defendant repeating his crimes.
The defendant was ordered to check in with Adult Probation and Parole no later than Friday and was scheduled to appear in court for sentencing Sept. 26.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.
ST. GEORGE — St. George Police Department arrested a Santa Clara man for allegedly breaking into and stealing items from multiple storage units on the afternoon of Sept. 2.
Lee Sydney A. Ward, 50, of Santa Clara, booking photo taken in Washington County, Utah, Sept. 15, 2019 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, St. George News
According to the probable cause statement filed in support of the arrest, a St. George Police officer was called to Classic Commercial Storage after a report of multiple unit break-ins. The officer conducted an investigation and found that approximately $3,250 worth of items had been stolen.
Video footage of the incident was obtained, and the police were able to photograph two male suspects and the vehicle used. The rear license plate was covered with a piece of paper, but the truck had “distinct paint markings,” the statement said, and one of the windows was being held up by a clear piece of tape.
Officers were able to use this information to identify one of the suspects as 50-year-old Ward Sydney A. Lee but were unable to find him or bring him in for questioning until Sunday evening when two officers out on patrol spotted Lee’s car on Tabernacle Street. The officers followed Lee until they observed him failing to signal as he turned onto St. George Boulevard.
A traffic stop was initiated, and Officer Anthony Ott was able to positively identify Lee as the wanted suspect. Lee was arrested and told police he had been high on dope at the time of the thefts and could not remember what he took.
Lee is facing three third-degree felony counts of burglary of a nondwelling, a third-degree felony count of theft of $1500-$5000, and a class B misdemeanor count of criminal mischief under $500. Officers also found a 6-inch blade in Lee’s vehicle, which resulted in a third-degree felony charge of a category 1 restricted person in possession of a dangerous weapon.
According to the statement, Ott has asked for Lee’s continued detainment as the officer believes Lee constitutes a substantial danger to the community and asserts that Lee committed a felony while on probation or parole or while free on bail awaiting trial on a previous felony charge.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.
ST. GEORGE — A New York man who appeared in 5th District Court in St. George on charges involving a police pursuit will not be returning to his home state anytime soon, as he faces additional charges for offenses he allegedly committed while in custody in Utah.
Bryant Demelo, of Willsboro, N.Y., booking photo taken in Washington County, Utah, Sept. 5, 2019 | File photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Bryant Demelo, 31, of Willsboro, New York, appeared in court Wednesday for what was originally scheduled to be a sentencing hearing on a misdemeanor charge of failing to stop at an officer’s command.
Instead, the defendant appeared on four cases, including the original misdemeanor, a third-degree felony assault charge involving a fellow inmate reported last week, a third-degree felony charge of damaging the jail filed Monday and a felony fugitive warrant.
Demelo was originally arrested Sept. 5 after taking Utah Highway Patrol troopers on a 30-mile pursuit on Interstate 15 that began at mile marker 63 in Cedar City and ended at mile marker 21 just south of Leeds.
The pursuit was set in motion when a trooper attempted to stop Demelo as he was driving in a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze going nearly 100 mph on southbound I-15 near Cedar City. When Demelo refused to pull over, the chase was initiated and continued south, reaching speeds of 120 mph, according to charging documents filed with the court.
After more than 30 miles and on shredded tires, Demelo finally pulled the disabled car off the interstate and stopped, at which point he jumped out of the car and fled on foot. A passenger in the car, 32-year-old William Reno, of Plattsburg, New York, remained in the vehicle and was taken into custody at gunpoint.
William Reno, 32, of Plattsburg, N.Y., booking photo taken in Iron County, Utah, Sept. 5, 2019 | File photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Reno remained in jail awaiting extradition to New York on a felony warrant for allegedly running a methamphetamine lab out of his East Coast home.
Demelo was located and arrested hours later, and he was subsequently booked on the misdemeanor count of failure to stop at an officer’s command. Additional charges filed later in connection with the incident include one third-degree felony count of failing to stop at an officer’s signal, as well as misdemeanor drug and paraphernalia charges.
During Wednesday’s court proceedings, District Judge G. Michael Westfall gave Demelo’s defense attorney, Ed Flint, a choice on whether to proceed with the sentencing for the police pursuit case or initiate court proceedings on the newer charges.
Flint opted to go through with an initial appearance on the felony jail damage charge, which stemmed from an incident reported at Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane shortly before 11 p.m. Monday.
According to charging documents, a corrections officer observed Demelo wrap a towel around his face and climb on the toilet where he reached up and broke a sprinkler head, which sent a shower of water into the cell, causing it to become flooded to the point that water began leaking into the cell block.
When questioned about the incident, the defendant allegedly told the officers he wanted a shower and was not willing to wait until after a disciplinary hearing scheduled at the jail.
The scheduled disciplinary hearing the defendant reportedly wished to put off for a shower involved an incident that took place five days before. On Sept. 18, Demelo allegedly struck a fellow inmate while yelling “snitch” as the group was getting off the transport bus after returning to jail from the courthouse.
A corrections officer grabbed the defendant and separated the two inmates. Demelo was taken to his cell block with a “keep separate” order in place. He was later charged with third-degree felony assault on a prisoner “for being the aggressor,” according to charging documents.
He was also scheduled for a review hearing on a felony fugitive warrant out of New York, which Westfall set aside with three cases pending, saying Demelo “can’t be transported to anywhere right now.”
The fugitive warrant involves a felony case filed in Plattsburg, New York, where the defendant was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance. On Sept. 5, the Plattsburg City Court issued the no-bail warrant, which was sent to authorities in Washington County.
The defendant is scheduled to be back in court Oct. 2.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.
ST. GEORGE — The man involved in a SWAT incident in a St. George neighborhood this summer has entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a sealed indictment against Matthew Mitchell in late June, less than a month before a two-hour standoff with police.
On July 17, the St. George Police Department’s SWAT and K-9 units were deployed to the Casita Del Sol town home community after the Washington County Drug Task Force initiated a warrant service. Officers were looking to serve a federal drug distribution warrant to Mitchell.
Mitchell barricaded himself in his residence when officers arrived. Authorities waited outside the town home with an arrest warrant while they drafted and approved a warrant allowing them to enter the home to complete the arrest, according to St. George Police Officer Tiffany Atkin.
After his arrest, the Court scheduled a two-day trial for late October, and the defense was required to submit a plea by Oct. 1 or the trial would continue as initially scheduled.
Matthew Mitchell booking photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Mitchell faced two felony charges for distribution of methamphetamine. The defendant appeared before Magistrate Judge Paul Kohler during a hearing Monday where he entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, pleading guilty to the first felony charge in exchange for the other charge being dropped.
In late 2018, Mitchell failed to satisfy the conditions of a plea in abeyance agreement with the Wasatch County Court in Heber.
Mitchell pleaded guilty to one class A misdemeanor charge of use or possession of drug paraphernalia and one class B misdemeanor charge of possession or use of a controlled substance.
Mitchell then failed to appear in court earlier this year after failing to meet the conditions of his plea. The judge authorized a bench warrant in the amount of $2,500 cash or bond.
Mitchell is scheduled to appear before Judge David Nuffer for sentencing Dec. 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2019, all rights reserved.
