MOAB, Utah, Feb. 17, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — A Grand County jury has found Miguel Angel Chay Tiguila, 31, guilty on three counts of aggravated human smuggling involving a minor, a first-degree felony.
The case was prosecuted by the Office of the Utah Attorney General, a news release from that office says.
The conviction originates from a traffic stop conducted on June 11, 2025, in Grand County. During the stop, law enforcement officers found the defendant transporting seven individuals—four adults and three minors aged 15 and 16—who were not legally present in the United States.
The minors were traveling without adult family members, the OAG statement says.
“Investigators confirmed that the transportation was for a commercial purpose. During a routine stop, officers found over $1,200 in cash on the defendant and discovered multiple cellular phones inside the vehicle that were turned off.”
On Feb. 11, 2026, Tiguila was convicted by a Grand County jury in the Seventh District Court, and remains in custody. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
