SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Sept. 3, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A previously deported foreign national has been indicted after being found with more than 9,000 fentanyl pills and dangerous weapons he is banned, as a convicted felon, from possessing.
According to court documents, Armando Reyes-Ascension, 43, of Salt Lake City, who was previously deported from the United States in July 2003 and March 2020, illegally reentered the United States in May 2024.
Salt Lake City police officers received multiple anonymous tips of a man selling large amounts of fentanyl pills from an apartment in Salt Lake City, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah.
“During surveillance, officers observed a man, later identified as Reyes-Ascension, exit the apartment and make multiple ‘short stay’ stops in known drug areas,” the statement says.
“Officers then stopped Reyes-Ascension and obtained a search warrant. During a search of Reyes-Ascension’s vehicle, officers found more than 7,000 pills that field-tested positive for fentanyl. Officers also found more than $32,000 cash. In June 2024, Reyes-Ascension was deported a third time from the United States.
“In August 2024, Reyes-Ascension was found back in the United States illegally. According to court documents, on Aug. 7, 2024, Salt Lake City Police officers were patrolling the area of 1300 S. Main St. when they observed a man wearing a backpack and riding a bicycle against traffic.”
Salt Lake City Police officers stopped the man, later identified as Reyes-Ascension, for a traffic violation.
“During an initial search, officers found drug paraphernalia and Reyes-Ascension was taken into custody. During a further search of his backpack, officers found a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield Firearm with a loaded magazine, more than 2,000 pills that field-tested positive for fentanyl, and more than $55,000 cash. Officers also located several dangerous weapons and coins. In total, over the span of three months, Reyes-Ascension, was found in possession of more than 9,000 fentanyl pills, a loaded firearm, several dangerous weapons, and $87,000 cash.”
Reyes-Ascension is charged with reentry of a previously removed alien, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and felon in possession of a firearm. His initial appearance on the indictment was Aug. 29, 2024, at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Salt Lake City Police Department, and the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney, Bryan N. Reeves, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.
