arrest – St George News

ST. GEORGE – Washington County Drug Task Force detectives arrested two men and a woman for drugs Monday during a traffic stop in which one of the men allegedly threatened to harm and kill task force members.

Daniel Paul Wright III, of Washington, Utah, booking photo posted Dec. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

Task force detectives observed a vehicle cross over the lane dividers and then begin to tailgate a vehicle in front of it near 870 W. Sunset Boulevard in St. George, Washington County Drug Task Force Detective Nick Hallman said in his probable cause statements supporting the arrests.

Detectives recognized a man in the passenger seat of the vehicle as Daniel Paul Wright III, of Washington, who had an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest for drug possession, Hallman said in the statement, and added that Wright is also a registered sex offender who has not provided a current address as required by law.

A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle for the moving violations, Hallman said, at which point, Wright was told he was under arrest and to exit the car. However, Wright would not exit the vehicle. He was told three more times to exit the car and, each time, continued not to comply, Hallman said in the statement.

Task force detectives reached for Wright and as they grabbed his arm he began to pull away and resist. Wright continued to fight against detectives as he was placed into handcuffs, Hallman said, and added:

While placing him into handcuffs, he looked directly at Detective Jarvie and yelled, ‘I’m gonna (expletive) kill you.’ He told Detective Schuman that if he saw him on the street, he was going to assault him.

Amber Kay Bride, of Ivins, Utah, booking photo posted Dec. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

A narcotics K-9 was deployed on the vehicle and alerted to an illegal controlled substance being present, Hallman said. During a search of the vehicle, methamphetamine was found in the purse of the driver who was identified as Amber Kay Bride, of Ivins.

Wright told Hallman that the methamphetamine in the purse was his and he had hidden it there, the statement said.

A second man in the vehicle, identified as Codi Jaye Norton, of St. George, was found to have a felony cash-only warrant for his arrest, on which he was arrested. In a backpack belonging to Norton, detectives found heroin, methamphetamine, a scale and baggies with residue on them, Hallman said in the probable cause statement.

The trio was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility on Monday.

Codi Jaye Norton, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Dec. 22, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

While at the jail, deputies located a bag of methamphetamine on Bride’s person, the statement said.

Wright was charged with three third-degree felonies for failure to register as a sex offender, possession of drugs and a warrant; and four class B misdemeanors for possession of drug paraphernalia, making threats of violence and interfering with arrest. His bail is set at $43,030.

Norton was charged with three second-degree felonies for drug possession and an outstanding warrant; and a class B misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. His bail is set at $31,850.

Because of both Wright’s and Norton’s prior drug convictions, each of their drug related charges were enhanced.

Bride was charged with two third-degree felonies for drug possession and possession of drugs in a controlled facility; one class B misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia; two class C misdemeanors for improper lane change and following too close. Her bail is set at $10,900.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE — St. George Police arrested a 21-year-old man Christmas Eve near the Family Dollar on Dixie Downs Road for various charges, including assault on a police officer and disorderly conduct.

Just before 6 p.m., the St. George Communications Center received a report of a disorderly man in the parking lot of Family Dollar, located at 922 N. Dixie Downs Road in St. George. As officers arrived on scene, a man was seen running in the middle of Dixie Downs Road toward the parking lot of Family Dollar, according to a probable cause statement written by St. George Police Officer Jared Carlson in support of the arrest.

“The male was screaming and swearing as he ran,” Carlson wrote.

Jose Antonio Jr. Flores, 21, booking photo posted on Dec. 24, 2014 | Image courtesy of Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News

Jose Antonio Flores Jr., booking photo posted Dec. 24, 2014 | Image courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The man was identified as Jose Antonio Flores Jr. by his Utah ID card. Carlson approached Flores and asked him what was wrong. Flores was very upset, yelled when he spoke, and said he had been hit by a vehicle, according to the statement. His breath also smelled strongly of alcohol.

“While I was speaking with Jose (Flores) he yelled at me and stated ‘you’re not taking me to jail. I’m from Compton and I run,'” Carlson wrote in the statement.

Flores then allegedly pushed Carlson in the chest and ran north away from him. Carlson yelled “stop you’re under arrest” as he chased Flores, according to the statement. After sprinting about 15 feet, Carlson pushed Flores into a parked car, grabbed his arms and forced them behind his back, according to the statement.

Witnesses at the scene reported that Flores was running in the middle of Dixie Downs Road and was hitting vehicles as they passed by, then yelling and swearing at citizens who stopped to help, according to the statement. Flores accused the driver of one vehicle of hitting him while he was walking on the sidewalk. Carlson spoke to the driver of the vehicle as well as witnesses.

“They all stated the female was stopped waiting to turn onto Dixie Downs road from the parking lot of Family Dollar. Jose (Flores) sprinted up to the car and ran into the rear of the vehicle,” Carlson wrote in the statement. “Jose became disorderly and started hitting the trunk of the vehicle.”

Flores was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. He was charged with a class B misdemeanor for interfering with arrest, a class C misdemeanor for intoxication, an infraction for disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic, a class A misdemeanor for assaulting a police officer, and a class A misdemeanor for failing to stop at the command of an officer. According to current bookings information, Flores’s bail stands at $4,900.

According to Utah court documents, Flores pleaded not guilty to all charges during his first court appearance, which took place Friday. A review court hearing is scheduled to be held Jan. 8.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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CEDAR CITY — Cedar City Police arrested three suspects Saturday evening in Cedar City in connection to the robbery that occurred early Friday morning at the Texaco fuel and convenience store at 1075 W. 200 No. in Cedar City involving three people, one of them, a man armed with a knife.

Victoria Elizabeth Fanton, 25, of St. George, booking photo posted Dec. 28, 2014 | Image courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Read more about the Texaco robbery here: 2 suspects sought in early morning gas station robbery

After the press release was disseminated Friday, the Cedar City Police Department began receiving multiple calls from the public regarding the identity of the suspects involved in the robbery, according to a statement released by Cedar City Police Department. Investigators began following leads and determined the suspects’ identities.

“We got calls from both Cedar City and St. George,” Cedar City Police Lt. Darin Adams said.

Benjamin Michael Wulfenstein, 38, booking photo posted Dec. 28, 2014 | Image courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Around 9 p.m. Saturday, police officers located suspects, Victoria Elizabeth Fanton, 25, and Louis Eleuteri Mcnealsandoval, 32, along with a third suspect, initially not known to have been involved, Benjamin Michael Wulfenstein, 38. Wulfenstein was determined to have been waiting in the suspect vehicle and drove Fanton and Mcnealsandoval away immediately after the robbery, the statement said.

Investigators conducted lengthy interviews and gathered evidence, according to the statement. The location where the suspects were found has not been released in order to protect the safety of some individuals, Adams said. The amount of money stolen from Texaco was small, he said, and the actual amount has not yet been confirmed.

The male suspect, Louis Eleuteri Mcnealsandoval, in a robbery at a Cedar City Texaco fuel and convenience store, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 26, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Cedar City Police Department, St. George News | Booking photo not yet posted as of 10:40 a.m. Dec. 28

Fanton, Mcnealsandoval and Wulfenstein were arrested and booked into the Iron County Jail. They were each charged with a first-degree felony for aggravated robbery and a class B misdemeanor for theft.

Investigators with the Cedar City Police Department are confident that all involved individuals have been apprehended, Adams said.

Cedar City Police Department also expressed gratitude to the public for their courage in coming forward and providing assistance which led to the apprehension and arrest of the involved individuals.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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LEEDS — Washington County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 40-year-old woman in Leeds New Year’s Eve on multiple charges, including aggravated assault related to domestic violence, trespass and assault of a police officer, among others.

At 12:18 a.m., deputies responded to the Leeds RV Park and made contact with a woman, identified as Rebecca Savage, who had reportedly been breaking items in a trailer and had threatened a man with a knife, swinging it at him and holding it to his chest while grabbing his throat, according to a probable cause statement supporting the arrest. The man was able to get away and call law enforcement.

Washington County Sheriff’s deputies found the woman with another woman in a vehicle outside the trailer where she appeared to be calm. She, the woman with her, and the man who was allegedly assaulted were interviewed and the trailer was investigated, Washington County Sheriff’s deputy Forrest VanWest wrote in the statement.

The woman and the man who reported the incident had gotten into a verbal argument turned violent over whether she was allowed to stay at the trailer as the man allegedly had a new girlfriend staying there as well, VanWest wrote in his statement.

The deputies searched and were unable to find the knife as the woman said she was not sure where she had left it.

“While looking for the knife, I found a plastic bag with green leafy substance laying on top of some women’s jeans,” VanWest wrote in the statement. “From my experience and training, the green leafy substance was consistent with marijuana. I smelled the substance and it smelled of marijuana.”

Savage admitted the jeans were hers, knew about the marijuana, but claimed it was the man’s, according to VanWest’s statement. She was determined to be the primary aggressor and placed under arrest at which time she become violent.

“(She) refused to place her hands behind her back, balled up her fists, swinging back violently,” the statement reported.

The woman was put in a twist lock to apply the cuffs. Once arrested she was violent and used profane language in the patrol car, eventually slipping out of one of her handcuffs. She was removed from the car and placed into the custody of Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility by booking staff with the help of VanWest.

The Washington County Attorney’s office brought nine counts against Savage via an Information filed the same day that included charges for: aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; criminal mischief, criminal trespass and assault against a peace officer, all three class A misdemeanors; assault, possession or use of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with arresting officer, all four class B misdemeanors; and disorderly conduct, a class C misdemeanor.

Savage’s arrest was also made on a $2,500 warrant issued by Judge Ludlow on Dec. 8, 2014.

According to the probable cause statement, Savage has a history of mental illness and had been formally trespassed from the RV Park by its manager and a sheriff’s deputy in October 2014. She said she had been staying there for the past two weeks, VanWest’s statement said.

Prior to this, his statement said, Savage had been staying at Switchpoint – a community resource center in St. George for impoverished and homeless people in need.

Savage’s initial appearance before 5th District Court in Washington County was held Friday at 1:30 p.m., after being rescheduled from Wednesday when she was uncooperative, according to the court’s minute entry on the docket. Judge John Walton set bail for her release at $10,000, cash or bond, advised of her right to counsel and appointed her an attorney.

Savage’s next appearance is a roll call appearance set for Jan. 12. As of Saturday, Savage remains in custody at Purgatory Correctional Facility and has not posted bail, according to Washington County Sheriff’s Office 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.

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HURRICANE – Claiming to be his brother, a 35-year-old man was arrested by Hurricane City Police Monday after his girlfriend reported he had committed theft and also alerted officers that he had outstanding warrants in Sevier County.

According to a probable cause statement written by Hurricane City Police Officer Ian Atkinson in connection with the arrest, Dwight Jack Davis, of Salina, was reported by his girlfriend to have stolen tools from her stepfather before leaving her Hurricane home. She told Atkinson that Davis was driving a black SUV, was armed with knives and had outstanding warrants from the Richfield area.

Dwight Jack Davis, booking photo posted Dec. 29, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Atkinson was notified that fellow officers had found the SUV on State Street in Hurricane. When he arrived on scene, he learned that Davis had been using his brother’s name and birthdate to identify himself to officers.

“I knew the personal information Dwight (Davis) had given to be false, from talking to Dwight’s girlfriend,” Atkinson said in the statement.

Locating a photo of Davis’ brother and comparing it to the man they had on the scene, officers confirmed the two men were not one and the same.

When confronted, Davis gave police a new false name, identifying himself as Dwight Lewis, according to the statement. Once he was handcuffed and detained, Davis finally admitted he had provided false information about his identity because he had outstanding warrants.

Davis was booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility and charged with one count each of providing false information to a police officer by using another person’s identity, a class A misdemeanor; and providing false personal information to police, a class C misdemeanor; Davis was also booked on the two outstanding warrants.

His girlfriend’s stepfather was unavailable to verify ownership of the tools she had accused Davis of taking, according to the statement. Hurricane City Police Sgt. Brandon Buell said Davis was not ultimately charged with any kind of theft in regard to the tools, because the investigation didn’t yield sufficient evidence to move forward with those charges.

According to court documents, Davis’ active warrants in Sevier County included a “failure to appear” warrant for another case in which he allegedly used his brother’s name to avoid being caught driving on a suspended license.

The probable cause statement in that case stated Davis was charged with providing false personal information to a Sevier County Sheriff’s Deputy; failure to disclose his identity; driving without insurance; driving on a suspended license; and speeding.

At the time of this publication, Davis has been released from custody, according to current bookings 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.

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ST. GEORGE — A 31-year-old man in jail in Washington County was re-booked with 18 new charges Friday following an investigation into a reported shooting that occurred Christmas Day. The charges add to a previous weapon’s charge, drug-related charges and a child abuse charge brought against the man earlier in December.

Eldrick Kendrell Anthony was charged Friday after the Washington County Drug Task Force learned of the shooting incident that allegedly occurred near 1000 N. 1725 W. in St. George. Anthony was positively identified in connection with the incident by witnesses who know him, according to a statement released by St. George Police Capt. Kyle Whitehead.

Eldrick Kendrell Anthony, 31, of St. George, Utah, photo posted on Dec. 11, 2014 | Image courtesy of Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility, St. George News

Jan. 2 in-custody arrest / new charges

Friday’s added charges stem from Anthony entering a residence by force on Dec. 25, according to witnesses, Whitehead’s statement said.

Anthony was confronted by the homeowner outside the residence and told to leave, according to the statement. Instead of leaving, he allegedly opened the door to the residence and entered while holding a handgun.

An altercation followed, and Anthony allegedly pointed the loaded handgun directly at two men who were inside the residence. The altercation continued outside in the parking lot, where the men attempted to get Anthony to leave the area, Whitehead’s statement said. According to witnesses, it said, Anthony fired a single round at the men.

Both men told police Anthony had pointed the handgun directly at them when firing. During this incident, Anthony also allegedly pointed the gun toward other adults and children who were nearby.

Detectives determined seven children between the ages of 3 and 14 were directly in the line of fire when Anthony discharged the handgun, Whitehead said.

Anthony also allegedly threatened the adults involved, saying he had police influence and would use it against them. For that reason, the victims were afraid to contact the Police Department and did not report the incident at that time.

Detectives reportedly located one witness who said Anthony had illegally purchased the handgun he used during the altercation.

Anthony has numerous previous felony convictions that prohibit him from owning or possessing a firearm. Detectives found he had tried to conceal and destroy the handgun after the incident, Whitehead’s statement said.

The Task Force charged Anthony Friday with a first-degree felony for aggravated burglary, 11 third-degree felonies for aggravated assault, four third-degree felonies for witness tampering, one third-degree felony for discharging a weapon, and one class B misdemeanor for discharging a weapon within the city.

As this report is published, Anthony is being held on the Jan. 2 charges without right to bail. The county attorney has not yet filed charges on the Jan. 2 arrest.

Dec. 31 arrest

Before the Jan. 2 charges were added, Anthony was already in custody on an arrest made by the Task Force on New Year’s Eve following an investigation in which three confidential sources reported him for firearm violations within the preceding seven days.

According to a probable cause statement written by Jason Jarvie of the Washington County Drug Task Force, information gathered from three confidential informants, each of who was unaware of the others’ involvement, told police that Anthony had possessed a firearm and also attempted to conceal or destroy evidence.

One of the informants reported “witnessing suspect Eldrick Anthony in possession of the firearm, as well as, discharging the firearm at (a) living human being,” Jarvie wrote in the statement.

The Task Force executed a search warrant and found and recovered the firearm Anthony had allegedly used, and Anthony was located and arrested near Exit 6 of Interstate 15 on Dec. 31.

At the time of his arrest, Anthony had left his three children, ages 6, 5 and 2, alone in a motel, according to Jarvie’s probable cause statement.

Anthony was charged by the county attorney on Dec. 31 with three counts: a second-degree felony for possessing a weapon as a restricted person, a third-degree felony for obstruction of justice, and a class A misdemeanor for child abuse.

According to the probable cause statement, District Judge John Walton set bail for the Dec. 31 charges at $100,000. That bail has not been posted. As long as the no-bail order is in place on the Jan. 2 charges, Anthony cannot be released even if he posts the $100,000 bail.

Dec. 11 arrest

Earlier in the month, Anthony had been arrested on Dec. 11, 2014, and charged by the county attorney in two separate filings. Both cases charge Anthony with a first-degree felony for distributing or arranging to distribute methamphetamine, with prior distribution. Anthony was released on two $20,000 bail bonds, one in each case, until he was later arrested on Dec. 31 on the weapon’s, obstruction of justice and child abuse charges.

History of legal confrontations

Utah Court records indicate numerous criminal and civil cases brought against Anthony over the past decade.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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WASHINGTON CITY — A Washington City woman was arrested Sunday after she was found in possession of drugs while attempting to shoplift items from the Washington Wal-Mart, located at 625 West Telegraph Road.

Anita Tilly booking photo posted Jan. 4, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office

Anita Thompson Tilley, of Washington, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 4, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office

Anita Tilley entered Wal-Mart on two separate occasions Friday where she gathered several items and concealed them inside canvas and plastic bags in her shopping cart, Washington City Police Officer Laynce Bartruff wrote in a probable cause statement supporting the arrest. After concealing these items, Tilley left the store without paying for them.

On Sunday, Tilley went back to Wal-Mart, gathered up more items and tried to leave the store again without paying for the merchandise, Bartruff said in the statement. Members of Wal-Mart loss prevention stopped Tilly before she could leave, took her to their office and contacted police.

“When I asked Anita about the incident she stated that she had gone through the checkout line and the lady did not ask her to pay for the items, so she did not,” Bartruff said in the statement.

While searching Tilley, Bartruff discovered several white pills in her coat pocket, he said in the statement. These pills were later identified as hydrocodone, a narcotic pain reliever and schedule two controlled substance.

In Tilley’s purse, officers also found more hydrocodone pills mixed in with other pills identified as chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride, a schedule four controlled substance used to treat anxiety, Bartruff said in the statement.

Washington City Police Public Information Officer Ed Kantor said he did not know the exact items Tilley allegedly took on Friday, but that on Sunday she was attempting to steal a container of alcohol.

Tilley was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

She was charged with a third-degree felony for possession of hydrocodone; and four class B misdemeanors for possession of chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride and retail theft.

At the time of this publication, Tilley has been released from custody, according to current booking information.

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ST. GEORGE — A St. George woman is in jail after being arrested by the Washington County Drug Task Force Friday for distribution of methamphetamine, and for concealing meth inside the area of her bra which was discovered during a pre-booking search at the jail.

Lindsay Connelley booking photo posted Jan. 2, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News

Lindsay Connelley, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 2, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Over the span of two months, confidential informants allegedly purchased meth from 34-year-old Lindsay Connelley, of St. George, task force Detective E. Judy said in his probable cause statement supporting the arrest. One of those controlled buys took place in July 2014 and the other two in August 2014. (Correction made: 2013 corrected to 2014.)

The Task Force conducted the many controlled buys weeks apart to help protect the identity of their confidential informants as well as to help solidify the case, St. George Police Lt. Mark Brklacich said.

“It shows that there is actual distribution and it’s not just a one-time thing,”Brklacich said, “but that this person is continually selling to people.”

All three controlled buys overseen by the Task Force were conducted within drug-free zones, with at least one being within 1,000 feet of Pine View High School in St. George and another within 1,000 feet of a chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, according to Judy’s probable cause statements. Because of this, Connelly’s distribution charges were increased to first-degree felonies.

During a search of her person during pre-booking at the jail, Washington County Sheriff’s deputies discovered baggies of a crystal-like substance in Connelley’s bra, Brklacich said. The substance later tested positive for methamphetamine.

Connelly was charged with three first-degree felonies for methamphetamine distribution and one third-degree felony for possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility. Her bail is set at $40,000.

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. CORRECTION: The buys took place in 2014, not 2013.

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ST. GEORGE — A 34-year-old man was arrested Monday after he ran from police and was later found to be in possession of heroin.

Jeffery Call booking photo posted Jan. 5, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, St. George News

Jeffrey Call booking photo posted Jan. 5, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

While on patrol near 800 S. Main Street, St. George Police Officer Jace Hutchings witnessed Jeffrey Call, of St. George, walking down the street carrying a backpack and black garbage bag, Hutchings said in a probable cause statement supporting the arrest.

Hutchings recognized Call, and knew he had a $5,000 cash-only felony warrant for failure to comply with the rules of his probation.

“I flipped my patrol vehicle around and began driving towards him,” Hutchings said in the statement. “As I turned around (Call) had taken off running west across Main Street into the Kmart shopping center.”

The officer pursued Call into the area and saw him running west through the shopping center’s parking lot, Hutchings said in the statement. Hutchings exited his patrol car and told Call he was under arrest.

Call began asking the officer to not arrest him, dropped the garbage bag he was carrying and began walking away, Hutchings said in the statement. Hutchings grabbed Call’s hand and once again told him he was under arrest, when Call pulled his hand away and appeared as if he was going to run again.

Because Call was resisting arrest, Hutchings grabbed him by the sweater, pinned him against a block wall and told him multiple times to stop resisting, Hutchings said in the statement. During the struggle, Call freed himself from the officers grasp and began running away.

“I chased Jeffrey down, tackled him to the asphalt, then placed him in handcuffs,” Hutchings said in the statement.

While searching through the backpack and garbage bag, officers discovered drug paraphernalia and what they suspected to be heroin, the statement said. When they asked Call about the items, he admitted some of the paraphernalia had heroin on it.

Because Call was first discovered in the area of 800 S. Main Street — within 1000 feet of Dixie Middle School — his drug-related charges were increased by one degree.

According to court documents, Call was previously arrested and plead guilty to possession of heroin in a drug-free zone in August 2014.

Call is charged with one second-degree felony for possession of heroin in a drug-free zone; two class A misdemeanors for possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to stop at the command of a law enforcement officer; and one class B misdemeanor for interference with an arresting officer. His bail for release on these charges is set at $15,000 cash or bond.

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CEDAR CITY — A Cedar City man was arrested on Monday for possession of heroin and other drugs following an incident at the Winger’s Roadhouse Grill, located at 1555 Regency Road in Cedar City.

Kevin Holmes booking photo posted Jan. 5, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Officers responded to the restaurant at approximately 6:30 p.m. on a report of a man harassing patrons in the restaurant, Cedar City Police Officer Clint Pollock wrote in a probable cause statement supporting the arrest. As officers were responding, the man had left the area, heading southbound on foot.

There were also reports that the man was looking in the back of pickup trucks as he was leaving, Cedar City Police Sgt. Jimmy Roden said. The citizens who witnessed it reported that it appeared suspicious.

Pollock located the man, later identified as 53-year-old Kevin Holmes, stumbling in the roadway, the statement said. While speaking with Holmes, Pollock said he appeared to be intoxicated.

“As Kevin spoke, his speech was slurred, he had bloodshot eyes and the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage,” Pollock said in the statement.

When Pollock asked Holmes if he could conduct a search of his person, Holmes agreed, the statement said. During the search, the officer found multiple drugs and drug paraphernalia.

“I felt a syringe in his front right shirt pocket that he admitted was used for heroin,” Pollock said in the statement. “In the syringe, there was blood.”

During the search, the officer also found multiple syringes inside the lining of Holmes’ coat, the statement said, which appeared to have been used. Pollock also discovered a ball of heroin in Holmes’ pocket and a single pill identified as alprazolam, a schedule IV controlled substance used to treat anxiety and panic disorders, Pollock said in the statement. Holmes did not have a prescription for the medication.

Holmes was arrested without incident and booked into the Iron County Jail. He was charged with one third-degree felony for possession of heroin; two class B misdemeanors for possession of alprazolam and drug paraphernalia; and a class C misdemeanor for public intoxication.

Holmes bail for release pending trial is set at $5,000 cash only.

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WASHINGTON CITY – Police arrested a man Tuesday accused of vehicle theft, threatening another person and domestic violence.

Kevin King Kerry, of Washington, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 6, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington City Police Department, St. George News

Kevin Kerry King, of Washington, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 6, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington City Police Department, St. George News

Washington City Police responded to a report of a stolen Jeep in the area of 600 N. Main the night of Dec. 31. The Jeep was located the following morning on New Year’s Day and its owner told police items inside the jeep had been taken, according to a probable cause statement written by Washington City Police Officer C. Prince.

While responding to a report of a possible theft in the Warm Springs Drive area, a witness told police that 60-year-old Kevin Kerry King had allegedly been the one who had stolen the Jeep and some of the items in inside of it.

The night of the incident King allegedly hit the witness over the head with a glass bottle, according to the probable cause statement. During the incident, King allegedly threatened another man and told him he was going to “gut” him, causing the man to fear for his life, the statement said.

The Jeep was left in the Washington Walmart parking lot, located at 625 W. Telegraph Street, after it had been wiped down for finger prints.

The witness told police King had taken the items to be pawned on Tuesday and received approximately $100 for them. The pawned items were verified by the Jeep’s owner as the items taken from the vehicle.

During the incident, King allegedly coerced a person into pawning the items taken from the Jeep and made threats of violence, according to a statement from Public Information Officer Ed Kantor.

King was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility on a second-degree felony count of theft of a motor vehicle; a third-degree felony count of domestic violence aggravated assault; and three misdemeanor charges related to a threat of violence. According to court records, King had his initial appearance in Fifth District Court Wednesday and his bail was set at $6,000.

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NOTE: Video footage filmed in December 2014.

ST. GEORGE – A two-week investigation ended with an arrest Friday night as officers apprehended a St. George man who allegedly went on a a graffiti spree in a St. George neighborhood over Christmas weekend.

Friday, St. George Police located and apprehended 22-year-old Levi Ray Billsie, of St. George, after mounting evidence indicated he had been responsible for the incidents.

Levi Ray Billsie, booking photo posted Jan. 9, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The Fraudulent Identity and Security Threat Unit, more commonly known as the gang unit, began investigating the case after multiple graffiti complaints, spanning from 1000 N. Dixie Downs Road to 1500 N. Dixie Downs Road, were received during the weekend of Dec. 26. It was concluded that all the graffiti had been done in one evening by the same person, St. George Police Sgt. Johnny Heppler, who supervises the gang unit, said.

“He went on a tagging spree,” Heppler said.

On Dec. 26 at approximately 4 p.m., Billsie allegedly began plastering black and gold graffiti over a five-block span, tagging various public and private surfaces such as power boxes, sheds, mailboxes and block walls. A few days later, City of St. George crews were called out to remove the graffiti, which included messages like like “P3yot3,” “BSC Peyota,” “Sketch,” “13” and some illegible scribbles.

Spray paint cans that were linked to the vandalism were found in Billsie’s possession. Based on physical evidence and information obtained from interviews and surveillance of the area, Billsie was taken into custody and questioned by investigators. He later admitted to committing the crimes, Heppler said.

The alleged vandalism, Dec. 30, 2014 | Photo by Melissa Anderson, KCSG and St. George News

Vandalism on Dixie Downs Road, Dec. 30, 2014 | Photo by Melissa Anderson, KCSG and St. George News

Billsie, who also goes by the street name “Sketch,” painted gang-related symbols and words connected to a Southern California gang called Sureno 13.

The damages from the vandalism totaled about $8,000 dollars, Heppler said.

Billsie was booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility on one second-degree felony charge for graffiti that resulted in $5,000 or more in damages. He is currently being held on $10,000 bail, according to current bookings information.

Graffiti in the City of St. George

The city usually has two to three new graffiti stains to clean up each week during the winter months, which is relatively low compared to summer, Bobby Randall, of the City of St. George’s Parks and Recreation Technical Unit, said.

“It’s an ongoing problem we have,” he said. “We probably spend a day a week removing new graffiti.”

The process of removing the graffiti from public property is time consuming, costly, and carried out at the expense of taxpayers.

Each square foot of cleanup costs $10 dollars, Randall said. If vandals are caught, they must pay the removal expenses as well as face prosecution.

When property is vandalized, St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said, it is found and removed as quickly as possible.

“We want people to realize it is a crime,” Despain said. “When people deface somebody else’s property, it can be very expensive to fix and clean off, and it’s something that our city and our Police Department takes very serious.”

Residents are encouraged to immediately report graffiti that is found on either public or private property, so it can be removed and the police can attempt to find those responsible.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Resources

To report vandalism, call the St. George Police Department at 435-627-4300 or fill out this request form.
Additional information can be found here.

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ST. GEORGE– Two men in their 20s were transported to the hospital early Tuesday morning following an end-over-end rollover off Foremaster Drive in St. George after which the driver was arrested for DUI.

Two men were transported to the hospital following a rollover on Foremaster Drive, St. George, Utah, Jan. 13, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the St. George Police Department, St. George News

At approximately 3:15 a.m., St. George Police officers responded to the east side of Foremaster Drive on a reported truck that had rolled, the Police Department said in a statement issued Tuesday.

“A witness observed a white pick-up truck pass another vehicle on a double yellow line,” the statement said. “The pick-up truck lost control and ran off the road where it appeared to roll end-over-end and eventually land right-side up on its wheels.”

The truck then began rolling backwards down the hill approximately another 100 feet.

The 25-year-old man driving the truck was ejected from the truck as it rolled, the police statement said. A 21-year-old male passenger was pinned in the rear passenger seat of the truck where he had to be extricated by emergency responders.

Both the driver and passenger were transported via ambulance to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George with minor injuries that were not life-threatening.

“It is suspected that alcohol was a factor in this accident,” the police statement said, “and the driver was arrested for DUI.”

This report is based on preliminary information provided by the authorities 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.

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ST. GEORGE– Charges kept stacking up Monday against a 30-year-old alleged shoplifter who was found in possession of weapons and drugs after he reportedly stole merchandise from Sportsman’s Warehouse, 2957 E. 850 North in St. George, and then attempted to run from police.

Officers responded to the sports store on a report of retail theft and met with the store’s loss prevention personnel who reported Austin Michael Padgett, of St. George, was observed taking several items from the store without paying for them, St. George Police Officer Mark Biehl said in the probable cause statement supporting the arrest.

Austin Michael Padgett, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 12, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

Padgett agreed to speak with Biehl and admitted to taking items without paying for them, the statement said.

“I checked (Padgett) for weapons and located an odd strap wrapped around his waist,” Biehl said in the statement. “I thought it may have been a gun holster so I unclipped it. The strap had a pouch on it containing a glass pipe with white residue inside.”

The residue tested positive for methamphetamine, the statement said. Padgett was also found to be in possession of a large straight-edge knife and a metal baton.

While Padgett was in custody, Biehl said, he attempted to flee and ran away from officers across the Sportsman’s Warehouse parking lot.

Padgett was apprehended, arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

He was charged with one second-degree felony for drug possession; two class A misdemeanors for weapons possession by a category II dangerous person and possession of drug paraphernalia; two class B misdemeanors for interfering with an arrest and retail theft.

This was not Padgett’s first run-in with the law. He was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in 2006, drug and paraphernalia possession in 2008 and unlawful sale or supply of alcohol to a minor in 2009, according to Utah state court records. Padgett was also convicted of retail theft and manufacturing or possessing a burglary tool in March 2014, and pleaded no contest to retail theft in November 2014.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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CEDAR CITY — A Cedar City woman was arrested Sunday after police found her in possession of heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs.

Janae Kawaguchi booking photo posted Jan. 11, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff's Office, St. George News

Janae Kawaguchi, of Cedar City, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 11, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The incident began when Cedar City Police Officer Z. Adams and an Adult Probation and Parole officer responded to a home located on 800 West in Cedar City to check in on an offender, Adams wrote in a probable cause statement supporting the arrest. Once inside the residence, Adams made contact with the offender’s roommate, 21-year-old Janae Kawaguchi.

“She admitted there were illegal drugs in her room and she had used them recently,” Adams said in the statement. “She consented to have officers search her room.”

During the search, officers located several different drugs inside Kawaguchi’s purse, Adams said in the statement. These drugs included: amphetamine dextroamphetamine, usually used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; hydrocodone acetaminophen, used to relieve moderate to severe pain; a bag containing a crystal substance consistent with methamphetamine; several individually rolled balloons of heroin; and a meth pipe.

“Janae admitted she is selling the heroin balloons for $30 a balloon,” Adams said in the statement. “She stated she had already sold two balloons since she got the heroin.”

Kawaguchi was arrested and booked into the Iron County Jail without further incident, Adams said in the statement.

She was charged with one second-degree felony for possession of heroin with intent to distribute; three third-degree felonies for possession of methamphetamine, amphetamine dextroamphetamine and hydrocodone acetaminophen; and one class B misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bail for release stands at $20,000.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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WASHINGTON CITY – A 32-year-old man who was being evicted from his apartment Monday faces an array of charges after leading police on a foot chase when it was discovered he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Officers responded to a “keep the peace” call where a tenant was being evicted from the apartment he had been living in.

When officers arrived on scene, the man was sitting on the stairs of the apartment, and had all of his belongings on the porch, Washington City Police Officer Chandler Prince said in the probable cause statement supporting the arrest. When officers asked the tenant his name, he told them it was Michael Patrick.

Travis Deandre Burkes, of Washington, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 12, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

When the name was run through dispatch, officers were informed that Michael Patrick was an alias for Travis Deandre Burkes of Washington, the statement said.

Officers were also informed that Burkes had an outstanding warrant for his arrest and that he had used his friend’s name when he was booked into jail in Mesquite, Nevada for DUI.

When Burkes was told that he was going to be taken into custody for his warrant, the statement said, he jumped up and started running.

“While we were running after (Burkes) he was commanded to stop,” Prince said in the statement. “(Burkes) was later caught and I found a glass pipe with burned methamphetamine residue inside, a piece of tin foil with heroin residue, and marijuana.”

While Burkes was being taken into custody, he resisted officers’ efforts to place him in handcuffs, the statement said.

“(Burkes) was also found to have two identification cards he stated were his brother’s and his deceased mother’s,” Prince said in the statement.

Burkes was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

He was charged with one second-degree felony for drug possession; two third-degree felonies for drug possession and possession of another’s identifying documents; two class A misdemeanors for failure to stop at the command of an officer and drug paraphernalia possession; two class B misdemeanors for interfering with an arrest and an outstanding warrant; and one class C misdemeanor for providing false information to the police.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE – At about 9:32 p.m. Tuesday, St. George Police responded to the area of 2056 E. Middleton Drive in St. George on report of several people seen fighting in the street and an assault in progress. Four men in their early 20s were found to be injured, and two male suspects, also in their early 20s, were in custody of St. George Police by about 10:30 p.m. with no further suspects at large.

The development where the stabbing occurred, Jan. 13, 2015, St. George, Utah | Photo by Brett Brostrom, St. George News

The complex adjacent to where a street fight occurred at 2056 E. Middleton Drive, St. George, Utah, Jan. 13, 2015 | Photo by Brett Brostrom, St. George News

Although the details of events preceding the street fight remained under investigation, St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said at 10:45 p.m., officers found a large gathering in the street outside the complex on Middleton Drive, with four men injured.

“What we understand at this point,” Despain said, “is that this gathering somehow got heated and an argument ensued which led to the assault taking place. It was reported that a knife was brandished as well as an ax during the assault; we’ve recovered both a knife and an ax.”

Police had not yet determined whether the knife and ax recovered were in fact the ones used in the assault, he said.

When police arrived on scene, Despain said, they came into contact with four men who had suffered what officers on scene described as minor lacerations.

“One individual had cuts to his finger, another individual had a cut on the left side of his body – kind of under his arm – another individual had a cut to his neck – his neck area – and another individual had a cut in his abdomen area,” Despain said.

None of the injuries were life threatening, he said. Three of the men were transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, and the fourth declined transport.

Two suspects that were associated with the assault that took place are in police custody, Despain said, and there were no other suspects at large that police were looking for.

Police responding to the scene of a street fight at 2056 E. Middleton Drive, St. George, Utah, Jan. 13, 2014 | Photo by Brett Brostrom, St. George News

Washington City Police Department was called in to assist because, when the initial reports came in, St. George Police did not know exactly what they were facing. They had reports of many people and were not sure how many suspects were involved, so Washington City Police helped in establishing a perimeter as the incident was addressed.

Washington County Sheriff’s K-9 unit also arrived on scene to assist in locating drugs, guns or other evidence that may be relevant to the ongoing investigation.

Police were not releasing particulars and identification of the persons injured or the suspects taken into custody, as interviews, gathering witness statements and evidence was ongoing Tuesday night.

This is a developing story.

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 Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic contributed to this report.

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ST. GEORGE– An arrest was made Wednesday in connection with a street fight in the area of 2056 E. Middleton Drive in St. George Tuesday evening during which four men in their 20s were assaulted with a knife.

Jerome William Nelson, 20, of Washington, was arrested after detectives processing the scene located a backpack, containing suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, which was determined to belong to Nelson, the St. George Police Department said in a statement issued Wednesday.

Police also discovered Nelson had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.

Jerome William Nelson, of Washington, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Jan. 14, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

Nelson was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. He was charged with a third-degree felony for possession of methamphetamine, and two class B misdemeanors for possession of drug paraphernalia and an outstanding warrant.

During an investigation into the incident, which is currently active and ongoing, police said two men were outside talking in the residential neighborhood shortly after 9:30 p.m. when they were approached by four other men, and words were exchanged, the statement said. The encounter escalated until a knife was presented and used during the altercation, according to the statement.

St. George police officers responded to the scene on a report of an altercation involving a knife and an ax. Police immediately located four men in their 20s who all had wounds consistent with being cut with a knife. Three of the men were transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George by ambulance in stable condition. Their injuries consisted of cuts to the neck and back of one man, a cut to the upper side torso of another, and cuts on the hands of the third. The fourth man received minor cuts to his fingers and was not transported to the hospital.

Information was received that two other men, also in their 20s, had fled the scene on foot.

A perimeter was established with the assistance of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Washington City Police Department. Detailed descriptions of the two were provided and within a few minutes two men matching the description were detained.

On scene, officers located a knife and an ax, the statement said. The knife had a blade approximately 3 inches long and is believed to be the knife used in the altercation. Police said they believe the ax was only displayed during the incident, but not used.

At this time, investigators are still trying to determine who the aggressors were, the statement said.

“Due to the complex nature of this investigation, St. George police investigators are working closely with the Washington County Attorney’s office as they review evidence and interview everyone who was involved,” the statement said.

Authorities said charges may be filed on those involved at a later date.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Videocast by Melissa Anderson

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ST. GEORGE — A St. George man was arrested Wednesday night after he confronted his mother’s boyfriend at an intersection, and tried to stab him with a screwdriver.

Natanael Sandoval booking photo posted Jan. 14, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Officers of the St. George Police Department responded to the intersection of Mall Drive and Riverside Drive after receiving reports of a fight in progress, Officer Mark Biehl said in a probable cause statement supporting the arrest.

Once on scene, Biehl located and spoke with 21-year-old Natanael Sandoval, who said he was involved in the confrontation and told the officer what happened.

According to Sandoval, the incident began when he had gotten upset at his mother’s boyfriend, James Johnson, and did not want to live with him anymore, Biehl said in the statement. Afterwards, Sandoval, his mother and his sisters were driving their car on Mall Drive when they noticed Johnson’s car following them.

Upon seeing this, the statement said, Sandoval stopped the vehicle, got out and approached Johnson’s car.

“Natanael then kicked out the driver side window and attempted to stab James with a screwdriver,” Biehl said in the statement.

While Sandoval was attempting to stab Johnson with the screwdriver, Sandoval’s mother and sisters began trying to pull him off, St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said. It was at this time that witnesses called police and reported the incident.

“He was causing quite a scene,” Despain said. “It was a pretty busy intersection.”

After interviewing Sandoval’s sisters about the fight, officers found their accounts consistent with the other witness’ accounts on scene, Biehl said in the statement. The screwdriver was also located and taken as evidence.

Because Sandoval and Johnson had been living together since October 2014, they are considered cohabitants, making the incident a case of domestic violence, Despain said. Johnson sustained no injuries from the fight and did not require medical transport.

Sandoval was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. He is charged with one third-degree felony for domestic violence-related aggravated assault; and one class B misdemeanor for domestic violence-related criminal mischief.

Sandoval’s bail is set at $5,620.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE — A St. George woman was arrested on enhanced charges Sunday night after she was found in possession of methamphetamine in a drug-free zone.

Marina Fallon, booking photo posted Jan. 19, 2014 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

While on patrol, St. George Police Officer Zack Bahlmann saw a blue Ford Focus driving east on St. George Boulevard, Bahlmann said in a probable cause statement supporting the arrest. The vehicle was going 38 mph in a 30 mph zone, so Bahlmann followed.

According to the statement, the officer drove past the Ford and got a look at the driver. After running the vehicle’s license plate and pulling up the registered owner’s driver’s license picture, Bahlmann identified the driver as 23-year-old Marina Fallon, the registered owner of the vehicle. Fallon’s license came up as suspended.

After turning around and again locating the vehicle, Bahlmann conducted a traffic stop and discovered that Fallon had moved over to the passenger seat and a different woman was now driving, the statement said. Fallon admitted that she had at one point been driving, even though she knew her license was suspended.

“Marina exited the vehicle and I saw a small plastic bag with whitish residue fall from her jacket,” Bahlmann said in the statement.

After Bahlmann witnessed this, Fallon consented to having her vehicle searched, the statement said. During the search, the officer also located a glass pipe containing a burnt white residue consistent with methamphetamine.

Both the pipe and the suspected drugs were located under the seat where Fallon had been sitting when the vehicle was stopped, Bahlmann said in the statement. The vehicle was also located within 1,000 feet of the Red Rock Canyon School, a drug-free zone, which caused the charges against Fallon to be enhanced.

Fallon was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. She is charged with one second-degree felony for possession of methamphetamine in a drug-free zone, one class A misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia in a drug-free zone, and two class C misdemeanors for driving on a suspended license and speeding. Her bail for release is set at $22,630 cash or bond.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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