Armando Reyes-Ascension, Fentanyl Trafficking, Utah 2024

Fentanyl Trafficking Bust Lands Felon Behind Bars

A foreign national and felon has been indicted for multiple federal crimes related to fentanyl trafficking and gun possession in Utah.

According to court documents, Armando Reyes-Ascension, 43, of Salt Lake City, a foreign national, who was previously deported from the United States in July 2003 and March 2020, illegally reentered the United States in May 2024.

As alleged in court documents, 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. During surveillance, officers observed a man, later identified as Reyes-Ascension, exit the apartment and make multiple 'short stay' stops in known drug areas.

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.

However, Reyes-Ascension was found back in the United States illegally in August 2024. According to court documents, on August 7, 2024, Salt Lake City Police officers were patrolling the area of 1300 South Main Street when they observed a man wearing a backpack and riding a bicycle against traffic.

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.

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 August 29, 2024, at the United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

Reyes-Ascension is currently being held in custody and 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.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

Reyes-Ascension's case is a stark reminder of the dangers of fentanyl trafficking and the importance of working together to keep our communities safe.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/previously-removed-foreign-national-and-felon-indicted-drug-gun-crimes