Related Federal Cases
- Aaron Peila, Oxycodone Distribution and Money Laundering, Utah 2023 · Utah
- Oluwole Adegboruwa, Oxycodone Trafficking, Utah 2019 · Colorado
- Oluwole Adegboruwa, Oxycodone Distribution, Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, Utah 2016 · Colorado
- Simmon Lee Wilcox, Oxycodone Distribution, Utah 2013 · Utah
- Phillip Taufa, Gun & Marijuana Trafficking, Utah 2023 · Nevada
Utah Man Charged with Oxycodone Trafficking and Money Laundering
A federal indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City on Monday, May 23, 2022 charges eight individuals with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering.
Aaron Peila, 31, who has lived in Utah and Nevada, is charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise, allegedly setting up a distribution network for oxycodone in Utah. Peila is currently serving a federal prison sentence for a firearms conviction.
Peila, who has lived in Utah and Nevada, allegedly obtained substantial income and resources through his violations of federal drug and money laundering laws and that his actions were undertaken in concert with at least five other persons over whom he occupied a position of organizer, supervisor, or any other position of management.
The indictment alleges that the majority of counts charge Peila and others named in the indictment with conspiracies to distribute oxycodone and conspiracy to commit money laundering from about May 2007 through various periods of time up to June 2012.
The continuing criminal enterprise charge carries a mandatory-minimum 20-year penalty with a maximum penalty of life and a maximum fine of $2 million. The drug trafficking conspiracy counts each have a 20-year potential penalty with fines of $2 million. The money laundering counts carry a maximum penalty of 20 years and fines of up to $500,000.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged in indictments are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.
The case is being investigated by special agents of the DEA and IRS and Salt Lake City police officers. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Utah.
Other defendants charged in the indictment include Jonas Newell, 29, of Provo; Candace Newman, 27, of Las Vegas; Mark Jaffe, 33, of Salt Lake City; Carolyn Barrera, 30, of Salt Lake City; Kevin Lynch, 53, of Las Vegas; and Jason Junior, 45, and Syndi Junior, 33, both of Pleasant Grove.
Peila’s detention hearing is set for Wednesday and Newell’s detention hearing is set for Friday.
Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Aaron Peila; Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering; City and State: Salt Lake City, Utah; Exact Date: Monday, May 23, 2022; Sentence or Outcome: Ongoing investigation; Dollar Amounts: $2 million, $500,000.
Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News