Felon charged for federal drug, gun crimes in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A felon and foreign national living in Utah was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday for federal drug and gun crimes.
Rafael Maldonado-Solario, 46, of Salt Lake City, was charged with possession of a firearm as a previously convicted felon, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and illegal reentry of a previously removed alien, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, May 23.
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The U.S. Attorney’s office said Maldonado-Solario has been under investigation for allegedly distributing fentanyl in the Salt Lake Valley.
On May 9, authorities reportedly seized 2,290 grams of blue pills stamped “M30” from his SLC apartment, which later field tested positive for containing fentanyl. Authorities also seized a Taurus CCP .380 handgun from his apartment, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
As a previous convicted felon, the U.S Attorney’s Office said Maldonado-Solario is restricted from possessing a firearm.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, Utah State Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/ Enforcement and Removal Operations.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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