Joe Robert Rael, Drug Trafficking, Utah 2024

Salt Lake City, Utah - A notorious Utah-based drug trafficking ringleader has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for his role in a massive conspiracy to traffic narcotics and launder money.

Joe Robert Rael, 55, of Salt Lake City, was sentenced to 240 months' imprisonment, followed by a term of 60 months' supervised release, for engaging in a conspiracy to traffic narcotics and launder money.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Howard C. Nielson, Jr. on July 18, 2024, following Rael's guilty plea on February 9, 2023. The plea was entered after a 34-count indictment was brought against Rael and 25 co-defendants in 2021.

According to court documents and statements made at the change of plea hearing, Rael and his co-defendants engaged in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and launder money from May 2020 to May 2021. The investigation revealed that Rael was a main supplier of heroin and methamphetamine in the District of Utah, with several sources of supply for narcotics, including co-defendants and the Mexican Drug Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG).

During the investigation, agents estimated that more than 420 pounds of methamphetamine and 50 pounds of heroin flowed through the drug trafficking conspiracy in a one-year time period. In February 2021, agents demonstrated that Rael received more than 11 pounds of methamphetamine and about two pounds of heroin within a few days.

Rael's sentencing marks the 23rd defendant out of 26 defendants to be sentenced in this case, with sentences ranging from 24 months to 192 months' imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins stated, 'Mr. Rael is a career offender who has caused substantial harm within our community. Protecting our citizens is one of our top priorities, and taking Mr. Rael off the streets and dismantling the operation he and his coconspirators participated in furthers this priority.'

DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen added, 'The sentencing of Rael is an important milestone in DEA's focus on targeting the most prolific drug trafficking organizations distributing poison in our communities.'

ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers noted, 'The illegal trafficking of drugs tends to run hand-in-hand with the illegal possession of firearms and contributes to deadly gun violence.'

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said, 'The Metro Gang Unit works hand in hand with our federal partners to reduce the narcotics and violence in our community. This case is another example of the success of that partnership.'

Defendant Name: Joe Robert Rael

Exact Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to traffic narcotics and launder money

City and State: Salt Lake City, Utah

Exact Date: July 18, 2024 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome: 240 months' imprisonment, followed by 60 months' supervised release

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/utah-based-drug-trafficking-ringleader-sentenced-240-months-imprisonment