Kevin Enrique Sanchez-Carrillo, a 25-year-old Mexican national residing in Draper, Utah, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for drug trafficking and immigration violations. The sentence was handed down by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Kimball in Salt Lake City.
After completing his prison term, Sanchez-Carrillo will be transferred to the Federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for deportation proceedings. The court also ordered the forfeiture of $7,750 in cash, a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun, and related ammunition.
Court records show that the investigation began in March 2025 when a confidential informant purchased methamphetamine from Sanchez-Carrillo. On April 3, 2025, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at his apartment and vehicle. Officers recovered large quantities of drugs including fentanyl (1,249 grams), heroin (571 grams), methamphetamine (11,099 grams), cocaine (15 grams), as well as the firearm and cash.
Sanchez-Carrillo admitted to knowingly possessing these narcotics with intent to distribute them for profit. He also acknowledged he was not allowed to possess a firearm due to his illegal status in the United States.
Further court documents indicate that Sanchez-Carrillo entered the United States on or after December 14, 2023, without being inspected by immigration officials and remained unregistered during his stay until apprehension on April 3, 2025.
“Pumping poison in the form of illegal narcotics into our communities will not be taken lightly,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti of the District of Utah. “Sanchez-Carrillo’s sentence sends a clear message to the defendant and others willing to break federal laws, that if you choose to engage in drug trafficking, illegally possess a firearm in the United States or unlawfully enter the United States you will face serious criminal consequences.”
“Individuals like Sanchez-Carrillo seek to profit while our communities are left to bear the cost of addiction, violence, and death,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI. “The FBI will relentlessly pursue and investigate drug traffickers who threaten public safety.”
“The sentencing of Sanchez-Carrillo sends a clear message to anyone involved in bringing drugs into our community: you will be caught, prosecuted, and held accountable,” said Lester R. Hayes Jr., Special Agent in Charge from Las Vegas. “We’re proud of the hard work and strong teamwork of our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who are committed to bringing criminals like Sanchez-Carrillo to justice.”
The investigation was conducted by agents from both the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO). The case was prosecuted by attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative focused on addressing illegal immigration issues as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated efforts such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
