PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

June 1, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLCPD Traffic Stop Results in Gun and Drug Seizure

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Pioneer Bike Division arrested a 19-year-old man for illegally having drugs and a gun.

This investigation started at 9:12 pm on Wednesday May 31, 2023, when the SLCPD’s Pioneer Bike Squad made a traffic stop around 200 South 900 West.

During the traffic stop, officers discovered the driver, Anthony Spells, didn’t have a license and therefore should not have been driving.  Officers asked Spells to get out of his car.  When he finally did, officers found Spells illegally concealing a firearm.

Officers safely arrested Spells. When officers searched Spells, they found him in possession of about 150 grams of crack cocaine, about 60 fentanyl pills, and almost $2,000 dollars in cash.

“The Pioneer Bike Squad focuses on reducing violent crime by going after the drugs, firearms and people who illegally possess and transport those items in our city,” said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown. “The work of our police officers and specialty squads have significantly contributed to improving public safety in our community.”

Officers seized the car and took Spells to the Salt Lake County Metro Jail where they booked him on two charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm by a Restricted Person, Traffic Control Signal Violations, and Violation of Learners Permit.

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

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.

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

1- Photo of cash, pistol, and crack cocaine recovered by police. (SLCPD | June 1, 2023 )

2 – Photo of bag of blue fentanyl pills. (SLCPD | June 1, 2023 )

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