SALT LAKE CITY – A federal grand jury has finally handed down an 11-count indictment against Roberto Miramontes Roman, 41, charging him with the intentional killing of Millard County Deputy Sheriff Josie Greathouse Fox on January 5, 2010. The indictment closes a long-awaited chapter in a case that haunted Utah law enforcement for years, bringing a glimmer of justice after over a decade of waiting.
According to the indictment, Roman allegedly gunned down Deputy Fox while actively attempting to evade capture and prosecution for a prior felony drug violation. The charges paint a picture of a desperate man willing to use lethal force to avoid facing consequences. The government alleges Roman was engaged in distributing methamphetamine when the fatal encounter occurred.
The indictment doesn’t stop at the murder charge. Roman is facing a barrage of additional counts, including three counts of methamphetamine distribution, with prosecutors signaling their intent to push for a 30-year sentence – exceeding the standard 20-year maximum. He’s also accused of multiple firearm violations, including possession and use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The alleged weapon used in the shooting? An AK-47.
Federal prosecutors further allege that Roman was illegally carrying a firearm despite being prohibited from doing so due to a prior conviction and his immigration status. The indictment states Roman was deported from the United States around September 23, 2005, and illegally re-entered the country. This adds another layer of complexity to the case, highlighting issues of border security and repeat offenders. The penalties for these violations could add another 20 years to any sentence.
The potential penalties are staggering. Life in prison looms for the murder charge, with a mandatory minimum of 20 years. Each of the firearm-related counts carries the potential for life imprisonment, alongside significant mandatory minimums, stacking the deck against Roman. Consecutive sentencing means each conviction will add to the total time served. Prosecutors are clearly aiming for a lengthy sentence, sending a message that targeting law enforcement will not be tolerated.
Roman is currently serving time in a state prison. Federal prosecutors are preparing to schedule an arraignment in the coming weeks. It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Roman is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Utah, with assistance from the ATF and ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Twitter @DUTnews for updates.
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Key Facts
- State: Utah
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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