Utah Man Sentenced for Major Drug Trafficking and Immigration Violations
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – kevin Enrique Sanchez-Carrillo, 25, of Draper, Utah, was sentenced to five years in federal prison on Monday following a extensive investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking operation. Senior U.S. District Judge Dale A. kimball handed down the 60-month sentence.
Sanchez-Carrillo,a citizen of Mexico,was found to be illegally residing in the United States after entering the country in late 2023 and evading immigration officials for over a year. Following his prison term, he will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation proceedings.
The investigation, initiated in March 2025, revealed Sanchez-Carrillo was involved in the distribution of notable quantities of narcotics. A search of his apartment and vehicle in April 2025 yielded 1,249 grams of fentanyl, 571 grams of heroin, over 11 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 15 grams of cocaine. Authorities also seized a smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, ammunition, and $7,750 in cash.
Sanchez-Carrillo admitted to knowingly possessing the drugs with the intent to distribute them for profit. He also acknowledged being prohibited from owning a firearm due to his illegal status in the U.S. He further confessed to deliberately failing to register with immigration authorities as required by law.
“This case underscores our commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and holding accountable those who endanger our communities,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti. “We will vigorously prosecute individuals who profit from the sale of illegal narcotics and violate federal immigration laws.”
Robert Bohls, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office, emphasized the impact of drug trafficking on public safety. “The FBI remains dedicated to relentlessly pursuing those who flood our streets with hazardous drugs and threaten the well-being of our citizens.”
Lester R. Hayes, Jr., Special Agent in Charge with ICE, added, “This sentencing sends a strong message: those who bring harmful drugs into our community will be apprehended, prosecuted, and face the consequences of their actions.”
the investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and ICE-ERO. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah and is part of Operation Take Back America, a national initiative focused on combating illegal immigration, dismantling transnational criminal organizations, and enhancing community safety through coordinated efforts from the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
