PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

April 7, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Violent Criminal Apprehension Team Seize 12 Illegally Possessed Firearms

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) recently seized 12 illegally possessed firearms as part of their ongoing commitment to helping reduce crime.

The first firearm recovery happened on Friday March 10, 2023, when VCAT detectives arrested 21-year-old Seth Payne and 21-year-old Brandon Banderas-Vidal as part of an investigation into drug distribution.

Detectives developed information leading them to a business in Daybreak, Utah where they safely took Banderas-Vidal and Payne into custody in a parking lot.

With help from the SLCPD SWAT Team, detectives served court-authorized search warrants at two apartments located near 4600 South 2900 West in West Valley City.

Between the two apartments, detectives removed seven pistols, two AR-15 style rifles, a psilocybin mushroom grow, almost five pounds of marijuana, a large amount of marijuana wax, THC cartridges, and drug paraphernalia.

Detectives booked Payne into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on six felony counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Restricted Person and two felony counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

Detectives booked Banderas-Vidal into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on three felony counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Restricted Person and two felony counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance.

The second recovery happened on Thursday, March 30, 2023, near 700 West Creekbend Drive in South Salt Lake, when detectives located and safely arrested 25-year-old Juan Arriero-Mendoza, who had an active weapons-related warrant.

During the stop, detectives recovered heroin, methamphetamine, and cash from the driver, 35-year-old Rose Coyt.

Coyt gave detectives consent to search her nearby apartment.

During the search, detectives found three pistols, cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Detectives booked Arriero-Mendoza into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on multiple, active warrants.

Detectives booked Coyt in the Salt Lake County Jail on three felony counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Restricted Person, three felony counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, a misdemeanor count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, and a misdemeanor count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Photos of the items recovered are being released. Media may use these photos with proper credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

The SLCPD Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) is a specialty unit within the department responsible for combating violent crime, by identifying and apprehending violent criminals and fugitives.  This unit works under the SLCPD Special Operations Division but also works closely with the Investigations, Patrol and Data and Research divisions to identify and direct targeted enforcement of hot spot areas and areas of rising violent crime.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

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