SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 6, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — A drug bust in Salt Lake City Wednesday night yielded 16.1 pounds of methamphetamine, according to court documents.
A probable cause statement from the 3rd District Court of Salt Lake County said one suspect, Benito Barrera, 32 is facing charges of:
- Possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, a second-degree felony
- Possession of dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a second-degree felony
- Theft by receiving stolen property, a second-degree felony
A second suspect, Julio Cesar Trejo-Ramirez, 28, is facing charges of:
- Possession of dangerous weapon by a restricted person, a second-degree felony
- Possession or use of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor
A third suspect, Yesenia Amador, 40, is facing charges of:
- Transfer of a firearm by a class II restricted person, a third-degree felony
- False personal information, a class A misdemeanor
- Controlled substance schedule III, IV, V, a class A misdemeanor
- Operate vehicle without license and registration, a class C misdemeanor
- Failure to signal, an infraction
Barrera’s statement said he was the passenger and owner of a vehicle stopped for failure to signal.
“During the course of the stop, open containers of alcohol were observed in plain view,” the statement said. “All occupants exited the vehicle. Along with the open container of alcohol, a stolen firearm and 16.1 pounds of a white crystal substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine were located in the vehicle.”
There was also allegedly a bong on the front passenger floorboard.
The gun was an M&P Shield, the statement added.
After being read his Miranda rights, Barrera admitted he owned the firearm, and said he purchased it “off the street” for $400, the statement said.
Trejo-Ramirez’ statement added: “During an interview of the A/P (accused person) Post Miranda the A/P admitted to holding and manipulating the firearm to the point that the A/P stated that his DNA would definitely be on the stolen firearm. The A/P also stated that he offered to buy the firearm from the front passenger. The A/P also admitted to being a drug user and using methamphetamine just a short time prior to the traffic stop.”
Trejo-Ramirez told officers he had some methamphetamine which was wrapped inside of a dollar bill which was inside of his right coin pocket. That substance field tested positive for methamphetamine.
“The A/P would also go on to state that he is in the United States illegally which would therefore make it so that he can not be around firearms let alone manipulate any firearms,” the statement for Trejo-Ramirez said.
Amador was driving the vehicle, her probable cause statement said. Amador lied about her name, providing the name and date of birth of an actual individual. She was also allegedly found to be in possession of meth after being searched. She allegedly admitted to using meth approximately twice a day.
She also admitted after being read her Miranda rights to handling the stolen firearm that was found inside the vehicle.
All three were transported to Salt Lake County Jail; Barrera’s bail is set at $11,970, Trejo-Ramirez’ is set at $10,010 and Amador’s is set at $5,010.
