Armando Reyes-Ascension, a 43-year-old Mexican national living illegally in the United States, has been sentenced to 58 months in prison after pleading guilty to immigration and drug trafficking charges. Previously removed from the U.S. on three occasions and convicted of felony illegal reentry, Reyes-Ascension was found back in the country with over 9,000 fentanyl pills, a loaded firearm, dangerous weapons, and more than $80,000 in cash.
Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups also sentenced him to three years of supervised release and ordered the forfeiture of over $88,000 USD, a Smith and Wesson .380 caliber pistol with ammunition, nine knives and daggers, and nine collectors’ coins.
Court documents reveal that on May 17, 2024, Salt Lake City Police seized 7,000 fentanyl pills and $32,000 from Reyes-Ascension’s apartment. He was deported to Mexico on June 11 but re-entered illegally by August 7. Found in Salt Lake County Metro jail for drug crimes, officers seized additional drugs and cash during his arrest.
Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti stated: “Reyes-Ascension’s repeated criminal conduct is a complete and total disregard for the laws of this country.” ATF Special Agent Brent Beavers emphasized the threat posed by combining narcotics distribution with firearms offenses. FBI Special Agent Mehtab Syed highlighted the risk traffickers pose to communities.
The case involved cooperation between ICE, ATF, Salt Lake City Police Department, and FBI Salt Lake City Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan N. Reeves prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through strategic enforcement priorities.
