PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

JANUARY 31, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

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SLCPD Officers Continue Enforcement Efforts to Reduce Drug Activity Along Jordan River Trail

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is continuing enhanced efforts to reduce drug and other criminal activity along the Jordan River Trail.

On Tuesday, January 30, 2024, officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Pioneer Patrol Division Bike Squad watched as a car pulled into the parking lot of Constitution Park, located at 1300 West 300 North. The bike officers know from their training and experience that people looking to illegally sell or buy drugs will come to the park and then walk to the Jordan River Trail where they will engage in illicit drug transactions.

Officers have continued several drug interdiction efforts to help reduce drug and other criminal activity occurring along the trail. Additionally, officers are working with community members and city, regional, and state officials to help ensure the trail remains safe and accessible.

In addition to conducting foot patrols, officers have also utilized all-terrain vehicles to access the trail and to provide a regular presence.

During their investigation on Tuesday, officers saw the two suspects get out of their car, go to the trail, and then return to the car.

Officers contacted both men inside the car and saw drug paraphernalia.

Officers later found several blue “M30” pills that are known to contain fentanyl and more than $700 in cash.

Officers booked both men into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.

The two men are charged with unlawfully distributing, offering, or arranging the distribution of a controlled substance. Because the offense occurred at a park, the charge is enhanced to the state’s most serious level of a felony.

The men are identified as 37-year-old Robert Rearick and 28-year-old Jesus Chavez.

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.

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