Armando Reyes-Ascension, a 43-year-old Mexican national residing illegally in the United States, has been sentenced to 58 months in prison. Reyes-Ascension pleaded guilty to immigration and drug trafficking charges. He was found with over 9,000 fentanyl pills, a loaded firearm, dangerous weapons, and more than $80,000 in cash after being previously removed from the U.S. on three occasions.
Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups also sentenced him to three years of supervised release and ordered the forfeiture of over $88,000 USD, a Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol with ammunition, knives, daggers, and collectors’ coins.
According to court documents and hearing statements, Salt Lake City Police seized 7,000 fentanyl pills and $32,000 from his apartment on May 17, 2024. After being deported to Mexico on June 11, 2024, he illegally re-entered the U.S. on August 7, 2024. Law enforcement arrested him for drug crimes at Salt Lake County Metro jail and seized additional drugs and cash.
“Reyes-Ascension’s repeated criminal conduct is a complete and total disregard for the laws of this country,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. “The defendant is a clear danger to Utah and the United States as a whole.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers stated that this sentencing sends a message against violent narcotics distribution combined with firearms offenses. “Possessing poisonous dangerous drugs alongside a loaded firearm posed an imminent and grave threat to public safety,” he added.
Special Agent in Charge Mehtab Syed of the Salt Lake City FBI remarked on the risk defendants like Reyes-Ascension pose by pushing dangerous drugs into neighborhoods.
The investigation involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Salt Lake City Police Department, and FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Bryan N. Reeves prosecuted the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime.
