ST. GEORGE –The Washington County Attorney’s Office charged a St. George man Thursday with 10 felony counts of sex crimes relating to a minor.
Jose Antonia Paredes, 36, was charged with five first-degree felony charges for aggravated sex abuse of a child and five second-degree felony charges of forcible sex abuse.
According to the probable cause statement supporting Parades’ arrest Wednesday, St. George Police conducted a three-month investigation on allegations brought by a now 16-year-old female. The alleged victim reported that Parades had sexually touched her regularly over the past four years.
Paredes exercised his Miranda rights choosing to remain silent when questioned by authorities, Detective Greg Baldwin stated in the documents.
Jose Antonio Paredes, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 24, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Parades was booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility on $100,000 bail. He also has an immigration hold issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, jail staff confirmed Thursday.
Parades initial appearance by video before 5th District Court Thursday afternoon was rescheduled to Friday so that an interpreter could be present.
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 – Police swarmed a St. George motel Sunday evening to back up a fellow officer responding to a 911 hangup when a woman allegedly pulled a knife on him. Police subsequently deployed a TASER on the woman and took her into custody.
Police responded to the Sands Motel located at 581 E. St. George Boulevard on a report of a 911 hang up where screaming could be heard in the background, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrest.
Christine Taylor Forsberg, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 28, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
When the first arriving officer got to the top of the motel stairs, he saw the door of a motel room open with a man standing inside the door trying to talk to a woman who was standing across the room in between two beds.
The officer asked the man to step out of the room so he could talk to the woman, identified as Christine Taylor Forsberg, to get a better understanding of what was going on.
When the man told the officer he was just trying to get his belongings, Forsberg rushed toward the officer with her fists clinched yelling that the man was lying, according to the report. The officer told Forsberg to “back up” and “calm down.”
“Christine backed up but then came at me again screaming at me,” the arresting officer wrote in the statement. “I told Christine that if she did not calm down, she was going to be put into handcuffs until I could determine what was going on.”
Forsberg then leaned over the bed and pulled a large knife from under the bedding and raised the knife above her head, the report stated. The officer unholstered his handgun and pointed it at Forsberg while telling her to drop the knife.
Instead of dropping the knife, Forsberg screamed at the officer to shoot her, according to the statement.
When the officer grabbed his TASER from its holster, Forsberg grabbed a pillow from the bed to use as a shield, the officer said in the report. Forsberg was still standing between the two beds with the knife in her hand, yelling at the officer to shoot her when back up units arrived.
With Forsberg refusing to drop the knife, the officer deployed his TASER, causing Forsberg to fall onto the bed, according to the statement. Officers moved in, secured the knife and took Forsberg into custody.
“There were 15 cop cars already there and about 10 more on their way,” a passerby who witnessed the police presence told St. George News. “That’s the most cops I’ve ever seen in one place, with more on the way.”
Forsberg was transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility where she was booked on a second-degree felony charge of assault on an officer, along with a class B misdemeanor charge of interfering with an arresting officer.
Judge G. Michael Westfall, of the 5th District Court, ordered $10,000 bail for Frosberg’s release pending trial.
She was found indigent by the court during her initial court appearance Monday and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Ariel Taylor. She is scheduled to make her next court appearance Monday afternoon.
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 Tuesday after allegedly pulling a knife on a Wal-Mart customer and threatening the man in the store’s parking lot.
Richard Quinn Cassels, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted March 2, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Just before 10 p.m., police responded to the Bloomington Wal-Mart located at 2610 Pioneer Road on a report of a man brandishing a weapon, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrest.
A witness reported that he had just pulled up to Wal-Mart and opened his truck door when a man with a knife threatened him.
The man told the witness that “he and his employees needed to watch out otherwise they would be harmed” and then walked away from the truck, the report stated.
Officers arrived on scene and located a man matching the description of the suspect. The man was identified as 20-year-old Richard Quinn Cassels.
Officers detained Cassels and located two knives in his possession, according to the report. They asked Cassels about the incident, and the arresting officer wrote the following in the statement:
He stated he had been sitting on a bench and had been followed by the driver of a blue truck. Quinn said he then approached the driver and asked the driver not to follow him.
When the officer asked Cassels if he had his knife out, he stated he was using his Second Amendment rights, the report stated.
Cassels was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility on a third-degree felony charge of aggravated assault.
Judge G. Michael Westfall, of the 5th District Court, ordered $5,000 bail for Cassels’ release pending trial.
He was found indigent by the court during his initial court appearance Thursday and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Michael Latowski. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance Monday afternoon.
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 – One man kept law enforcement busy early Tuesday morning as officers responded to four separate incidents where the 34-year-old man was reportedly involved. The ordeal came to a head when the man’s disruptive behavior allegedly caused a car to go off a 12-foot embankment and crash.
Davison Begay, of Arizona, booking photo posted March 8, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
At 1:39 a.m., officers responded to a St. George residence where a man had been ringing a doorbell, waking up the residents and yelling at them to call police, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrest. The man then fled the scene.
Twenty minutes later, at 1:59 a.m., police responded to a similar incident where they were able to talk to the man, identified as Davison Begay, who told officers he had been at the other residence.
Begay told police that “he was being chased by a male identified as ‘Reaper’ who had shot at him in the parking lot of the Washington Walmart,” the arresting officer wrote in the statement.
Washington City Police officers responded to the Washington Wal-Mart and found no evidence that there had been any shots fired. Begay was then released from police questioning.
But, at 2:49 a.m., police were dispatched to another report of a man pounding on the door of a St. George residence where he was yelling to call police and threatening to “kick in the door,” the report stated. Again, the man fled the scene.
“I observed a male fleeing in the distance and it appeared to be Davison (Begay),” the officer wrote in the report.
At 3:39 a.m., officers responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash at Red Rock Ridge student housing apartment complex located at 344 S. 1990 East in St. George.
The male driver of the vehicle told police he had been sitting in his car in the parking lot when a man came up to his window and began to pound on it and incoherently yell at him, according to the statement.
The driver attempted to flee in his vehicle as the man chased after him while throwing rocks at his vehicle, the report stated. In the driver’s attempt to flee from the man, he drove off an embankment and damaged his car.
“Davison just comes up yelling at the guy sitting in his car minding his own business,” St. George Police Sgt. Spencer Holmes said. “Obviously, in fear for ‘what’s going on with this guy?’ he ends up driving his car from the upper parking lot off a 12-foot rock wall. He ends up crashing it down in the parking lot below.”
Officers ended up catching up with Begay as he was running across Riverside Drive near the Maverik gas station on 2078 East, Holmes said. Begay told police that he had been the man involved in all of the instances. He also admitted to doing methamphetamine earlier in the day.
After being taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George for medical clearance, Begay was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
He was charged with third-degree felony criminal mischief, class A misdemeanor possession of a dangerous weapon for having a folding knife and razor knife during the incidents while being under the influence of a controlled substance, class B misdemeanor assault and an infraction for disorderly conduct.
Judge Jeffrey Wilcox, of the 5th District Court, ordered $8,000 bail for Begay’s release pending trial during his initial court appearance Tuesday. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance Monday afternoon.
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 22-year-old man allegedly concealing a Remington 12-gauge shotgun under his shirt with 10 rounds of ammunition while riding his bike in St. George was arrested Saturday.
Just after 10 p.m., officers were patrolling the area of 600 North and 2700 East when they spotted a bicyclist whom they believed was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrest.
Chyles Chad Taliman, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 16, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Officers stopped the man, identified as Chyles Chad Taliman, of St. George. Taliman wouldn’t turn around to talk with officers, and he hesitated when he was asked to step away from his bike, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
“He then said something to the effect that he had a shotgun,” the officer stated.
Police immediately grabbed Taliman’s arm, placed him in handcuffs and told him he was under arrest for his outstanding warrants.
“Located under his shirt was a Remington 12 gauge shotgun carrying 10 rounds of ammunition,” the officer stated. “Chyles stated he was there to see a buddy and would not answer any other questions.”
It was discovered that Taliman had a $5,000 warrant for retail theft, a $2,500 warrant for providing false personal information and a $2,500 warrant for multiple violations – each issued by the 5th District Court.
After Taliman was booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility and his charges were posted on the bookings website, a man who recognized Taliman called police and said he believed the gun confiscated during the arrest was his, the report stated.
The man alleged that Taliman had been at his home Friday night and that his gun was missing, according to the statement. The man was able to positively identify that the gun belonged to him by providing a description and serial number of the gun.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Taliman of second-degree felony theft by receiving stolen property, third-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person, class B misdemeanor carrying a concealed firearm, and an infraction for not having a bicycle lamp or reflectors installed on his bike.
Taliman appeared before 5th District Judge Eric Ludlow Monday for his initial court appearance. Ludlow ordered $5,000 cash-only bail for Taliman’s release pending trial.
Taliman was found indigent by the court and was appointed attorney Douglas Terry to represent him. He is scheduled to make his next appearance in court April 25.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
HURRICANE — A Hurricane man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly breaking into a police officer’s home while she was inside sleeping. Authorities later discovered the man kept a rifle trained on a sliding glass door of the officer’s home.
At approximately 3:32 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 North block of 2400 West to a report of a man who unlawfully entered the residence of an off-duty St. George Police officer, Hurricane City Police Sgt. Brandon Buell said.
Nathan Allen Gardiner, of Hurricane, Utah, booking photo posted April 20, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The off-duty police officer’s patrol car was parked outside her residence, and she was sleeping inside at the time the suspect entered. The police officer awoke to a man, later identified as 43-year-old Nathan Allen Gardiner, banging on her kitchen appliances, according to a probable cause statement by the Hurricane City Police Department in support of the arrest.
The police officer armed herself with a handgun and walked into the kitchen. Gardiner entered the living room area of the home, continually yelling, “Bring it! Bring it!” to the police officer as he raised his hands above his head, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
The officer told Gardiner to leave her home, the report stated. Gardiner allegedly kept flipping off the officer as he stepped out the door of the home and continued yelling, “Bring it!”
“The-off duty officer was speaking to dispatch during this course of time while protecting herself with her weapon at a low-ready,” the arresting officer stated. “Nathan then ran to his residence and I arrived on scene a short time later.”
When Hurricane Police officers arrived on scene, they saw Gardiner attempting to leave in a vehicle. Officers tried to stop Gardiner, but he refused to comply with their commands and began driving up his driveway toward his garage.
Three officers drew their guns on Gardiner and ordered him to stop and show them his hands, the report stated. Instead, Gardiner drove into his garage and tried to close the garage door on the officers. After some time, Gardiner exited his vehicle, and officers were able to detain him.
The arresting officer reported that when Gardiner was asked why he went into the officer’s home, he told officers, “She is after me.” The officer added: “He continued saying how she was after him and always watching him.”
During this time, officers learned that Gardiner had an active third-degree felony $25,000 cash-only bail warrant issued for his arrest by the Utah Attorney General’s Office.
While he was being transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility, Gardiner had a medical emergency, and medical was dispatched, Buell said. Gardiner became combative and aggressive with officers and began assaulting them.
“Nathan also stated if he observed me or the other officer in public he would kill us,” the arresting officer wrote in the statement.
Gardiner was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George for medical clearance before being booked into jail.
“We do believe that alcohol and drugs were a factor in this incident,” Buell said. “It is still unclear on what the motive was behind the actions made by the suspect.”
According to court documents, a search warrant was executed at Gardiner’s residence, where authorities discovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, along with a Ruger .243 rifle pointing out a window.
“The rifle was on a tripod and had an optics scope on it for precision,” the arresting officer stated. “The rifle was pointed directly at the off-duty officer’s sliding glass door.”
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Gardiner of second-degree felony burglary of a dwelling; third-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person; three third-degree felony counts of assault by a prisoner; two class A misdemeanors for failure to stop at the command of police and drug possession; six class B misdemeanors for possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal mischief, interfering with arrest, threat of violence and DUI; and two class C misdemeanors for intoxication and disorderly conduct.
Washington County Justice Judge Douglas Whitlock set a $45,000 cash-only bail for Gardiner’s release pending trial. Gardiner is scheduled to appear before 5th District Judge G. Michael Westfall Friday afternoon for his initial court appearance.
“Fortunately, no one was injured and the victim was able to remain calm and act in a manner that helped protect her,” Buell said of the incident.
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 — A Veyo man was arrested Wednesday and is facing felony charges stemming from an April 9 incident in which he allegedly represented himself as law enforcement to hold a man and woman, who reportedly cut him off in traffic, at gunpoint until police arrived.
Police officers were initially dispatched to an attempt to locate a reckless driver in Washington City that was reported by a man alleging he was a private probation officer, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington City Police Department in support of the arrest.
Kim Ray Terry II, of Veyo, Utah, booking photo posted April 20, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Police officers were then dispatched to the area of Green Springs Drive and Buena Vista Boulevard to assist with an incident in which a private probation officer had reportedly stopped the vehicle and had a man detained for reckless driving.
“Dispatch then advised the private probation agent held the male at gunpoint before detaining him,” the arresting police officer wrote in a sworn statement.
“I arrived to the underpass of Green Springs where traffic was backed up due to the private probation agent stopped in the intersection with a male in handcuffs standing up and leaning against the trunk of his car,” the police officer stated.
The police officer approached the probation officer, identified as 51-year-old Kim Ray Terry II, and asked what was going on. Terry said he was driving down Red Hills Parkway with his family when the man cut him off, making Terry nearly go off the road, and then slammed on his brakes, causing Terry to nearly wreck into the back of him, according to the statement.
“He stated that is assault so I felony stopped him because I am a retired cop and ‘I know my sh–,’” the police officer wrote.
At that time, a woman stepped out of the stopped vehicle and told Terry to tell the police officer what really happened, the report stated. The woman said when the lane began to merge, they hydroplaned, causing water to splash up on the windshield, making it difficult to see, and that they were unaware they had even cut Terry’s vehicle off.
The woman said they pulled up to the light and Terry jumped out of his car and pointed a gun at them while demanding her husband get out of the car, according to the statement. The woman said she was terrified Terry was going to shoot her husband.
The police officer released the man from Terry’s handcuffs and asked them all to pull into a nearby gas station so they could fill out statements and not continue to hold up traffic.
The police officer explained to Terry that, based off what Terry had said, that the man had not committed an assault but, possibly, reckless driving, the report stated. When Terry asked why, the police officer explained that being cut off in a road rage incident is not an assault by Utah State Law definition.
The police officer told Terry he could prepare a citation for reckless driving and issue it to the driver on Terry’s behalf and that, as the complainant, Terry would have to testify in court against the driver, according to the report. Terry agreed.
When the police officer asked Terry who he worked for, Terry stated he is a private probation agent for Tread Armament. At face value, the report stated, Terry appeared to look like a probation agent based off of his attire and the gear he was wearing.
“Kim was wearing a nylon duty belt typically worn by police officers that contained what appeared to be pepper spray, night attack, handcuff case and a gun holster with a glock holstered in it,” the officer stated. “He was wearing tan BDU pants and police style boots and had a badge hanging from his neck on a chain that stated probation officer on it.”
After filling out the paperwork, the involved parties left and the police officer went to the police station to investigate Terry’s certifications. During the investigation, the police officer learned that Terry is also being investigated by Adult Probation and Parole and the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensing.
“I found that Kim Terry has no Utah certifications as a law enforcement officer and is already being investigated by AP&P for impersonation due to a previous incident Kim was involved in,” the officer stated. “In talking with AP&P on their case, I was advised Kim has never been certified in any state as a law enforcement officer. He had retired from Nevada Corrections on the human resources department only and they had confirmed that with Nevada POST.”
According to court documents, the police officer found that DOPEL is “doing an emergency hearing on Kim Terry to revoke his certification” and that the Adult Probation and Parole agent had been informed by a DOPEL representative that Terry had “made some threatening remarks about him.”
“I was also informed that there is an investigation into Kim Terry for inappropriate relationships with his probation clients,” the officer wrote in the statement.
According to the DOPEL website, Terry currently holds licenses in Utah as a private probation provider since 2013, and an armed private security officer since 2012.
Terry held classes at Tread Armament earlier this month for armed and unarmed private security certification, according to a Craigslist.com ad which reads: “Training is overseen by Mr. Kim Terry, Southern Utah’s longest-serving security instructor.”
As a result of the Washington City Police investigation, Terry was arrested on Wednesday.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Terry of two second-degree felony counts of aggravated assault, class B misdemeanor impersonation of an officer, two class B misdemeanor counts of unlawful detention, and class C misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Bail for Terry’s release pending trial was set at $25,000. Terry appeared before 5th District Judge John Walton Thursday for his initial court appearance where his defense attorney Douglas Terry requested that his client’s bail be reduced.
However, the state was unwilling to stipulate to a bail reduction Friday. A new bail hearing is scheduled for Monday for the defense and prosecution to consult about a possible mutual agreement to lower Terry’s bail.
As this report is published, attempts to reach Tread Armament regarding the status of Terry’s employment were not immediately returned.
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 — Community tips poured in after the St. George Police Department asked for help identifying a pharmacy robbery suspect caught on surveillance footage last week. The suspect was identified and subsequently arrested Saturday.
On April 19, officers responded to the report of an attempted burglary at a Walgreens pharmacy located at 391 W. St. George Boulevard. A suspect had allegedly entered the pharmacy and attempted to get a controlled substance by stating he had called in the prescription, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrest.
Michael Gregory Williams, of Cedar City, Utah, booking photo posted April 23, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The suspect was told he was not authorized to call in the prescription and that it was illegal to do so, the arresting detective wrote in a sworn statement. The suspect then left the store.
A few moments later, a car pulled up to the pharmacy’s drive-up window and the man in the car demanded the same controlled substance, according to the police statement.
“The pharmacist was alarmed and concerned that the male would enter the store if not given what was demanded,” the detective wrote in the statement.
When the pharmacist went to get the pills the man had demanded, the man drove off.
St. George News ran the story the following day asking for the public’s help identifying the man in the pharmacy surveillance footage. Community tips began pouring in, identifying 30-year-old Michael Gregory Williams, of Cedar City, as the man in the footage.
St. George Police released this photo April 20 showing an individual wanted for questioning in an active criminal investigation, St. George, Utah | Photo courtesy of the St. George Police Department, St. George News
On Saturday, officers were able to locate Williams at The Shoppes at Zion outlet mall located at 250 N. Red Cliffs Drive in St. George, according to the statement.
Police arrested Williams on two unrelated outstanding warrants and took him to the Police Department. There, according to the detective’s sworn statement, Williams was read his rights and he agreed to speak with him.
“I questioned Michael about this incident and he denied having even been at the store,” the detective wrote in his statement.
Williams was booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Williams of second-degree felony robbery.
Judge John J. Walton, of the 5th District Court, ordered $10,000 bail for William’s release pending trial.
Williams was found indigent by the court during his initial court appearance Monday and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Jay Winward. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance May 2.
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 who was picked up by police Thursday for an active theft-related warrant is facing new felony theft charges after officers allegedly discovered a stolen all-terrain vehicle in his possession at the time of his arrest.
Noah Benjamin Thomas, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 21, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
St. George Police officers responded to a residence on the 600 East block of 2400 South to arrest 35-year-old Noah Benjamin Thomas on a $10,000 cash-only bail warrant issued by the 5th District Court for his arrest.
The warrant was issued after Thomas failed to appear in court April 18 for sentencing in a prior second-degree felony theft case, according to court documents.
When officers arrived at the residence, Thomas then became a suspect in an ATV theft that had previously been reported in Washington City, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington City Police Department in support of the arrest.
Thomas was allegedly found to be in possession of the stolen ATV, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement. During an interview with police, Thomas denied stealing the ATV but admitted he knew it had been stolen, the officer stated.
Thomas was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Thomas of second-degree felony theft by receiving stolen property.
Judge John J. Walton of the 5th District Court ordered $10,000 bail for Thomas’ release pending trial. He was found indigent by the court during his initial court appearance Friday and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Douglas Terry.
Thomas is scheduled to make his next court appearance May 2.
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 on eight felony charges Wednesday after he allegedly used a web of deception to fraudulently pay himself nearly $16,000 by falsifying payroll reports at a St. George business.
Jonathan Michael Heck, 27, had been working as the human resources director for Chrysalis, a company providing a continuum of care, support and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live, work and participate more fully in the community.
Jonathan Michael Heck, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 27, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Heck allegedly used personal identifying information from at least four former Chrysalis employees to fill out fraudulent timesheets between August 2015 and January 2016, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrest.
These former employees had been new hires who had only worked with Chrysalis for one day or a few weeks before leaving the company, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
Chrysalis officials began to catch on to the deception and reported the alleged crime to the police.
Chrysalis representatives said that as the human resources director, Heck was in a unique position to enter each of the employee’s information into the company’s payroll system, submit the employee’s timesheets and distribute Global Cash Cards used as debit cards for employees to receive their payment for time worked, the report stated.
When police interviewed the former employees regarding the fraudulent timesheets, the officer stated, the former employees said they had only worked for Chrysalis for a short period of time and that they had never received payment from Chrysalis.
When shown the timesheets, the former employees said they didn’t work at Chrysalis for most of the listed dates, adding that they hadn’t filled out many of the submitted timesheets and that the signatures on the sheets in question were not theirs, according to the statement.
“The total amount of money obtained from these four employees on these fraudulent timesheets is $9,366.25,” the officer wrote in the statement. “The CFO for Chrysalis contacted Jon over the phone and talked to him about these fraudulent timesheets. Jon admitted to (the CFO) that he had used the former employee’s information to create these timesheets.”
Chrysalis representatives said they can also provide documents showing Heck submitted time on his own timesheets for which he hadn’t work, the report stated, and that he had obtained $6,516.49 from those falsified reports.
When questioned by police about the matter, Heck requested an attorney, according to the statement. Heck 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 Heck of second-degree felony theft by deception, along with four third-degree felony counts of identity fraud and three third-degree felony counts of forgery.
Heck was released from custody on $45,000 bail pending trial. He is scheduled to appear before 5th District Judge G. Michael Westfall Tuesday afternoon 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 Washington City woman was arrested in Ivins early Friday morning on suspicion of second-degree felony theft and drug possession with the intent to distribute — among other drug-related charges — after she was detained for driving a stolen vehicle.
Dalia Hernandez-Solis, of Washington, Utah, booking photo posted April 29, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Just after 1 a.m., while patrolling the area of 200 South and 100 East, an officer ran the license plate of a vehicle that returned as reported stolen, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Santa Clara-Ivins Police Department in support of the arrest. The officer initiated a traffic stop.
The driver of the alleged stolen vehicle was identified as 24-year-old Dalia Hernandez-Solis, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
The officer detained Hernandez-Solis and advised her of her Miranda rights, the report stated.
Hernandez-Solis gave the officer consent to search her purse, according to the statement, which was located in the center console of the vehicle.
During a search of the purse, police located a variety of numerous drugs as well as drug paraphernalia, the officer stated.
Hernandez-Solis 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 Hernandez-Solis of second-degree felony theft, second-degree felony drug possession with the intent to distribute, two class A misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and three class B misdemeanor counts of possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Judge G. Michael Westfall, of the 5th District Court, ordered $10,000 bail for her release pending trial. She posted bond Friday and was subsequently released from custody.
Hernandez-Solis was found indigent by the court during her initial court appearance Friday and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Edward Flint. She is scheduled to make her next court appearance May 16.
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 — A man and woman were arrested early Monday morning when police found a wide variety of drugs and drug paraphernalia in their car after they were reportedly loitering at a gas station for four hours with the woman’s two small children.
Just after midnight Monday, officers responded to the Chevron gas station located at 990 W. Buena Vista Blvd. in Washington where a witness reported a man was using drugs, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington City Police Department in support of the arrest.
Dustin J. Hafen, of New Castle, Utah, booking photo posted May 2, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The witness told police that a used needle was found in the gas station’s bathroom when the man exited after having been inside the restroom for an extended amount of time, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
After leaving the bathroom, the man exited the store and sat with a woman and two children in a car parked in the parking lot, the report stated. The witness told police that the man and woman had been loitering in and outside of the store for approximately four hours.
When officers arrived, one officer spoke with the male suspect — identified as Dustin J. Hafen, of New Castle — while another officer spoke with the woman, who was identified as Christina Hafen, of Hurricane, according to the statement.
“I asked him what he was doing at Chevron and he said he has been playing the quarter game,” the officer stated. “I advised him that the reporting party stated he has been at Chevron for four hours loitering. He said he didn’t think he was loitering.”
Dustin Hafen initially denied having used drugs but eventually admitted that he had used meth a few hours prior to the officers’ arrival.
“As I was talking to him I observed his pupils were dilated,” the officer wrote in the statement. “His pupils were almost covering all of the white of his eyes. I then looked at his arms and observed a fresh needle mark in his left arm.”
Christina Hafen, of Hurricane, Utah, booking photo posted May 2, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Christina Hafen was also showing signs of being under the influence of drugs, the report stated.
A narcotics police K-9 was deployed on the vehicle and alerted to the presence of drugs, according to the statement. During a search of the vehicle, officers located meth, heroin, hydrocodone pills, marijuana, used syringes, several pipes, multiple small baggies, a scale, three large hunting knives and a small purple TASER.
Dustin Hafen was arrested and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. After a family member arrived to take custody of Christina Hafen’s children, she was also arrested and transported to the jail.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Dustin Hafen of second-degree felony drug possession with the intent to distribute, two class A misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and two class B misdemeanor counts of possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
As this report is published, Dustin Hafen remains in police custody.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Christina Hafen of class A misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and class B misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Christina Hafen was released from custody on $2,000 bail. A review hearing in her case is scheduled for Friday afternoon.
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 weeks after being arrested on Interstate 15 in St. George with nearly 2 pounds of meth in his possession, an alleged St. George drug runner appeared in federal court Monday for a pretrial conference.
Santiago Tarula-Rivera, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 26, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Santiago Tarula-Rivera, 45, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert T. Braithwaite, who ordered Tarula-Rivera jailed pending trial. The case is expected to be heard during a two-day jury trial set to begin July 18.
A joint narcotics investigation by the Washington County Drug Task Force and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency led to the arrest of Tarula-Rivera on April 26 for suspicion of felony drug possession with the intent to distribute.
Authorities had received information that Tarula-Rivera made regular trips from Southern California to St. George to deliver methamphetamine, according to an affidavit filed by the DEA in support of the criminal complaint.
On the day of the arrest, the investigation yielded information that Tarula-Rivera was making the alleged drug run and was heading back to St. George, prompting agents to obtain a federal anticipatory search warrant for Tarula-Rivera and any vehicle he occupied.
At approximately 3 p.m., law enforcement received the break they were looking for when they observed Tarula-Rivera driving a Toyota Camry on northbound Interstate 15, according to the affidavit. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle near mile marker 2.5 in Washington County and the search warrant was executed.
“A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 904 grams of a crystal substance,” the DEA agent stated in the affidavit, “later field tested and confirmed to be methamphetamine.”
Agents located the nearly 2 pounds of meth in a black Pelican case – a durable case that is typically chemical resistant and used for sensitive equipment – in the engine compartment of Tarula-Rivera’s vehicle, according to court documents.
The street value of 2 pounds of methamphetamine ranges from $70,000 to $80,000 if it’s sold in gram quantities, Washington County Drug Task Force Sgt. Jared Parry said.
Parry estimated the wholesale value of meth in the Washington County area to be around $5,000 to $10,000 per pound.
“For our area, that’s quite a bit (of drugs) to get at one time,” Parry said. “I mean that’s 900 grams when you break it down that way. Methamphetamine, on the street level, is typically sold between gram quantities and 8 ounce quantities so, when you break it down like that, that’s quite a bit of drugs.”
I-15 is a major corridor for drugs, Parry said, adding that a lot of the drugs intercepted by the Washington County Drug Task Force either come out of California or Las Vegas.
Tarula-Rivera was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility where he was held with $50,000 cash-only bail required for his release pending trial. However, since Braithwaite’s detention order, Tarula-Rivera no longer has the option to bail out of jail prior trial.
Charges initially filed in 5th District Court were dropped last week and re-filed in the United States District Court of Utah.
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 Wednesday on a wide variety of charges, including being in possession of an elderly couple’s forged check. However, the situation went from bad to worse when the man’s girlfriend used one of the stolen checks to bail the man out of jail and the two allegedly attempted to defraud a bail bondsperson out of more than $63,000.
At approximately 11 a.m. Wednesday, officers patrolling near the Wendy’s restaurant located at 120 N. 1000 East encountered 21-year-old Randy David Rehnstrom, who was wanted by the Washington County Drug Task Force for suspicion of drug distribution, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrest.
Randy David Rehnstrom, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted May 13, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
During a narcotics distribution investigation that took place over the course of the last six months, according to court documents, the task force conducted a controlled buy of methamphetamine on two occasions in Washington County through the use of a confidential informant. The informant allegedly purchased meth from Rehnstrom.
Task force detectives requested that officers place Rehnstrom under arrest. Rehnstrom refused to comply with officers’ orders and physically resisted but was eventually placed in handcuffs, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
While searching Rehnstrom, officers located a blank check with the names of a couple in their mid- to late-70s listed on the check in Rehnstrom’s pocket, along with a Nevada driver’s license with another man’s name on it, the report stated. In another pocket, officers located suspected marijuana and a used hypodermic needle.
“Randy stated the needle was for his meth addiction,” the officer wrote in the statement.
During this time, officers were advised that the couple whose names were on the check had been the victim of a residential burglary two days prior, the report stated. The woman had reported that her purse was stolen during the burglary and that someone had attempted to use her credit card.
Officers found the woman’s driver’s license, three credit cards and social security card in Rehnstrom’s possession, according to the statement, along with several additional checks belonging to the woman.
“One of the checks was written out to Randy Rehnstrom in the amount of $750,” the officer stated.
Sierra Lorine Wilbanks, Beaver Dam, Arizona, booking photo posted May 13, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
In Rehnstrom’s backpack, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, used syringes, multiple small baggies, a digital scale, pipes and a glass dripper bottle that contained a clear liquid, according to the statement.
“Randy admitted the liquid was ‘Molly’ a street name for MDMA,” the officer stated. “He explained that he had bagged up Smarties candy that he had yet to place the liquid on.”
Rehnstrom 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 Rehnstrom of four second-degree felony counts of burglary of a dwelling, drug distribution and drug possession with the intent to distribute; five third-degree felony counts of possession of another’s identifying documents, possession of a forgery and unlawful acquisition of a financial card; two class A misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance; and two class B misdemeanor counts of theft by receiving stolen property and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Later that day, a bail bondsperson contacted detectives to inform them that 20-year-old Sierra Lorine Wilbanks had possibly used a fraudulent check to bail Rehnstrom out of jail.
After bailing Rehnstrom out of jail pending trial for more than $63,000, the bail bondsperson had dropped Rehnstrom and Wilbanks off at Motel 6 in St. George and was to meet them at a later time to go to the bank and work out cashing the $1,750 check Wilbanks had provided. However, the couple didn’t show.
When police were shown the check Wilbanks had given the bail bondsperson, police were able to confirm the check was in fact stolen from the same couple in their 70s.
The bail bondsperson said Wilbanks had told her that the check was from her grandparents and that they had given her the money, the report stated. Wilbanks also provided tax return information to prove she would be getting the money to pay the bond fees for Rehnstrom’s release.
A screenshot of a Facebook post made by Randy Rehnstrom May 12 in response to the St. George Police Department’s attempt to locate him, St. George News | Click on image to enlarge
At 6:31 p.m. Thursday, the St. George Police Department posted on its Facebook page requesting the public’s help in locating Rehnstrom and Wilbanks.
At 10:10 p.m. Thursday, Rehnstrom responded to the Police Department’s request by posting the following message on his own Facebook page:
WTF is this sh– y’all talked to me yesterday when you charged me with this sh– and why is Sierras pic up there she wasn’t involved so stop bringing innocinnocent people in this so I’m here if y’all wanna talk call me 435 6– —-
On Friday afternoon, the Police Department thanked St. George citizens for their help in the case and stated: “Despite Randy’s ‘FB post offering to talk’ the two were located while trespassing on private property in an attempt to avoid officers.”
The couple was booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility following their arrest for the alleged scheme to defraud the bail bondsperson of more than $63,000 to get Rehnstrom out of jail, the report stated.
Rehnstrom received an additional second-degree felony charge of communications fraud, while Wilbanks was charged with second-degree felony communications fraud along with a third-degree felony count of forgery.
According to Utah Court documents, the couple was arrested earlier this year after they were allegedly caught shoplifting at Kohl’s department store in Washington City on Jan. 15. After the two were apprehended for shoplifting, officers allegedly located heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, pipes, syringes and a digital scale in the couple’s possession.
As this report is published, the two remain in police custody, according to booking information.
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 COUNTY — Driving a stolen vehicle with its emergency flashers on is a good way to get noticed. A Minnesota man learned that lesson Monday when he was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle after catching the attention of authorities by driving through Hurricane with his emergency flashers on.
Jose Omar Cortez-Arias, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, booking photo posted May 16, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Just before 2 a.m., a sheriff’s deputy was traveling east on state Route 9 near 6000 West when he observed a vehicle in front of him traveling slowly with its emergency flashers on, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in support of the arrest.
The driver of the vehicle was traveling in the fast lane – going 35 mph in a 60 mph zone – while pressing his brakes repeatedly, the deputy wrote in a sworn statement.
The deputy initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, identified as 28-year-old Jose Omar Cortez-Arias, the report stated.
“Jose told me his car was breaking down and he needed oil,” the deputy wrote in the statement.
When the deputy ran the vehicle’s plates, he was alerted that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Minnesota, according to the statement.
When questioned about the vehicle, Cortez-Arias told authorities that the car belonged to his girlfriend and that he was driving it to California, the report stated.
“I spoke with the case officer in Minnesota and he told me the car had been reported stolen on Sunday night just a few hours earlier,” the deputy stated. “I confirmed with him that the vehicle was stolen and he stated it definitely was stolen.”
Cortez-Arias was placed under arrest and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Cortez-Arias of second-degree felony theft by receiving stolen property.
Judge John Walton, of the 5th District Court, ordered $10,000 bail for Cortez-Arias’ release pending trial.
Cortez-Arias was found indigent by the court during his initial court appearance Tuesday and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Michael Lastowski.
As this report is published, Cortez-Arias remains in police custody, according to booking information.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
Jerrod Grant Roker, of Cedar City, Utah, booking photo posted May 19, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George/Cedar City News
CEDAR CITY – A Cedar City man is facing several felony charges Tuesday after he allegedly brandished a gun at a bowling alley and threatened police officers and their families.
Cedar City Police arrested Jerrod Grant Robker, 31, following an incident at the Cedar Bowling Alley located on U.S. Highway 91 near Enoch City. Authorities booked him into the Iron County Correctional Facility on a $10,000 cash bail. He has since bailed out of jail.
Robker is facing three third-degree felonies for aggravated assault, two class B misdemeanors for resisting and interfering with an arresting officer and for possession of a dangerous weapon while intoxicated, and two class C misdemeanors for intoxication and disorderly conduct.
According to the charging documents filed in support of the suspect’s arrest, Robker was one of the parties allegedly inciting a fight with another group at the bowling alley. At some point during the incident, Robker lifted his shirt and showed the firearm he was carrying at the time.
He then invited the group to “come on outside,” the court document states. Robker went outside while one of his friends allegedly pushed two members from the other group outside with him.
“At this point Jerrod began to pull his gun out of his holster,” the court record states.
A fight broke out between Robker and another person who had grabbed him to allegedly try and get the gun away from him. Once let go, Robker immediately took his gun out of his holster and pointed it at three people.
Several people tried to run inside, at which time Robker reportedly struck one of them in the arm with the butt of the gun.
Police reported they arrived on scene to find two people fighting on the ground inside the bowling alley. One of the officers there saw a female pick up a gun from the floor in front of the two who were on the floor fighting, the document states.
“I ordered her to drop the gun,” the officer stated in his report. “Through the chaos of the fighting, the gun disappeared.”
As the officer was trying to split up the fight he said he looked up and saw Robker, who was then in possession of the firearm, “appearing to lift it up in the officer’s direction.”
“At that time, (Iron County Sheriff) Deputy (Wade) Lee hurried to the side of Robker and had his service weapon on him,” the officer stated in the court records.
Authorities later interviewed Robker who allegedly admitted to brandishing the firearm. Robker also told officers he had been drinking. The document states the suspect had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and reeked of alcohol, all of which coincided with Robker’s admission of guilt.
According to the documents, police had to pull Robker out of their car when they took him to the hospital for medical clearance before escorting him to jail. At that time, Robker allegedly threatened the Cedar City Police Officer Zac Adams and his wife and daughter.
Later, Robker allegedly threatened another officer and his family, documents state.
Court records show Robker has a criminal history of similar charges between 2006 to 2010. Convictions range from third-degree felonies for stalking and violation of a stalking order to misdemeanors for electronic communication harassment, stalking and interruption or damage of an electronic communication device.
He was also convicted on several misdemeanors in 2006 including simple assault, unlawful detention, violation of a protective order and interfering with arrest. In 2008 however, the charges were all dismissed under a plea of abeyance agreement.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
Email: tsullivan@stgnews.com
Twitter: @tracie_sullivan
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
HURRICANE — Following a chase and standoff with police, a Hurricane City man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly burglarizing 13 vehicles.
At approximately 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to the area of 5286 W. Industrial Drive in Hurricane on a report of a theft in progress in an area marked “no trespassing,” Hurricane City Police Sgt. Brandon Buell said.
Andrew Weston Bailey, of Hurricane, Utah, booking photo posted May 19, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
A business employee allegedly observed a man – later identified as Andrew Weston Bailey – removing items from a vehicle, Buell said. The employee confronted the man and alerted authorities.
Bailey subsequently fled the scene in a green Ford Ranger, traveling on a road that led to a dead end street, police said. Witnesses reported that Bailey bailed out of the vehicle and took off on foot.
Officers arrived on scene and found Bailey on a mountainside, hiding behind rocks, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
Bailey refused to comply with officers’ commands to come down the mountain. Due to safety concerns, officers did not immediately approach Bailey, Buell said.
After some time, several officers hiked up the mountainside, detained Bailey and escorted him back down the mountain.
During an investigation into the incident, police found that Bailey had unlawfully entered and taken items from 13 different vehicles, Buell said.
While searching Bailey’s vehicle, officers allegedly located a large fixed blade homemade knife along with drug items, authorities said.
Bailey was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an Information in 5th District Court accusing Bailey of three third-degree felony counts of theft, criminal mischief and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person; 14 class A misdemeanor counts of burglary of a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance; and two class B misdemeanor counts of criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bailey is scheduled to appear in 5th District Court before Judge John Walton Friday afternoon.
As this report is published, Bailey remains in police custody, according to booking information.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
MOHAVE COUNTY, Ariz. — A 25-year-old Illinois man was arrested early Sunday morning after crashing his car on Interstate 15 just over the Arizona state line, then running from authorities.
Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper John Rogers said Keenan Reed was northbound on I-15 just past Arizona milepost 3 when he lost control of his Ford Crown Victoria about 6 a.m. (AST) or 7 a.m. (MDT), crashed into the hillside and took off on foot into the desert.
A wildlife biologist happened to witness the crash and was able to describe the suspect to Rogers, who picked up Reed about an hour and a half later approximately a mile away from the crash site, said Arizona Department of Public Safety Sgt. John Bottoms. [see Ed. note]
Rogers arrested Reed on suspicion of failure to remain at the scene of an accident and suspicion of DUI, both misdemeanor offenses.
When Reed was taken to Mesa View Regional Hospital in Mesquite to check on his injuries, Rogers said he allegedly became combative, spitting and attempting to bite the nursing staff. That resulted in additional charges of felony aggravated assault.
Reed was taken to the Mesquite Detention Center and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to remain at the scene of an accident, aggravated assault of a peace officer and aggravated assault of a health care worker. He remains in custody until his first court appearance Monday.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement 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.
Ed. note: An earlier version of this article stated the wildlife biologist was a wildlife “officer,” which he is not. The article also stated that Reed was picked up seven miles away from the crash site.
ST. GEORGE — Two Philadelphia men traveling along Interstate 15 Tuesday were arrested on drug distribution charges after a narcotics K-9 helped intercept 76 pounds of marijuana being transported in their vehicle during a routine traffic stop.
Roeung Yang, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, booking photo posted May 17, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Just before 5 p.m., a trooper initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle just off the northbound I-15 Bloomington Exit 4 for a traffic violation, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Utah Highway Patrol in support of the arrests.
The trooper talked with the driver, identified as 33-year-old Roeung Yang, and his passenger, identified as 32-year-old Philadelphia Say, both of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
While waiting for a records check of the vehicle, Titan, a Utah Highway Patrol narcotics K-9, was deployed around the exterior of the vehicle, according to the report.
After Titan alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle, a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, the report stated.
“In the trunk, I located 4 duffle bags,” the trooper wrote in the statement. “Inside the duffle bags was 76 packages of suspected marijuana. Each bag weighed approximately one pound.”
Philadelphia Say, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, booking photo posted May 17, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Yang and Philadelphia were both arrested and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Yang and Philadelphia of third-degree felony drug possession with the intent to distribute and class B misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Both men are expected to appear before 5th District Judge John Walton for a status of counsel hearing Monday afternoon.
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 COUNTY — An investigation into the use of stolen credit cards led to the arrest of a LaVerkin man and woman Wednesday on a variety of criminal charges, including child endangerment after the woman left her daughter with two men who were suspected of using drugs at the time. The woman allegedly told her daughter not to answer if police came to the door.
While investigating a LaVerkin vehicle burglary in which multiple credit cards, gift cards and identifying documents were stolen, authorities learned one of the cards had recently been used at the Davis Farmer’s Market in LaVerkin, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in support of the arrests.
Jesse McBride Farr, of LaVerkin, Utah, booking photo posted May 18, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The unauthorized charge was made at 9:06 a.m. in the amount of $46.97, the arresting deputy wrote in a sworn statement. After reviewing the grocery store’s surveillance footage, the individual who made the purchase was identified as 35-year-old Jesse McBride Farr.
A $60 cash withdrawal was also made at an ATM outside the food mart with another one of the stolen credit cards, the report stated.
Additionally, a Discover Card representative reported a female had called the company’s customer service attempting to obtain a cash advance, according to the statement. The phone number utilized to call Discover Card was traced back to 40-year-old Maura Farr McGraw, who was identified as Farr’s sister.
Authorities obtained a search warrant for the LaVerkin home which Farr and McGraw share, according to the statement. Farr and McGraw were both detained when the search warrant was executed.
McGraw allegedly admitted to having called the Discover Card company to “change the PIN number and try to obtain a cash advance,” the report stated. McGraw, who was on supervised probation at the time of the incident, told deputies she had received the stolen card from Farr.
“While searching the home for the financial and identifying documents, drug paraphernalia with drug residue was located in areas easily accessible and frequented by Maura’s two children,” the deputy wrote in the statement.
Maura Farr McGraw, of LaVerkin, Utah, booking photo posted May 18, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Children’s toys were located among syringes and other drug paraphernalia, according to the statement. When questioned about the drug items, Farr told authorities they were his.
“While I was interviewing Jesse, he was very lethargic, slow to respond, had slurred speech and was nodding off,” the officer stated. “I recognized these symptoms as someone who is under the influence of heroin.”
In reviewing McGraw’s text history on her cellphone, deputies noted a text conversation McGraw had with her daughter in which she told her daughter “not to answer the door for the police,” according to the report.
“In her interview,” the deputy stated, “Maura stated she had left her daughter home with Jesse who she believed was using drugs along with another male subject.”
Both Farr and McGraw were arrested and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Farr of third-degree felony endangerment of a child and unlawful acquisition of a finance card; class A misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance; and three class B misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful use of a finance card.
McGraw was charged with two third-degree felony counts of endangerment of a child and unlawful acquisition of a finance card.
Both Farr and McGraw were found indigent by the 5th District Court during their initial court appearance Thursday. According to court documents, Farr will be represented by court-appointed attorney Douglas Terry, and McGraw will be represented by court-appointed attorney Michael Lastowski.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
