Early Tuesday morning, Salt Lake City Police Department's Pioneer Patrol Division arrested Joseph Valdez, 48, along the Jordan River Trail, for drug distribution and weapons charges, what started as a routine check for an illegal fire unveiled a more serious crime.
Officers arriving on the scene at approximately 6:51 a.m. encountered Valdez and another man, Charles Myers, 52, near 700 North, it was during this interaction that officers discovered Valdez's active full extradition warrant and his attempt to mislead them with false identification, according to SLCPD.
The search that followed led to the discovery of a "distributable amount of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine," in addition to "marijuana dab and cash." Furthermore, Valdez was found in possession of a knife and an expandable baton, both considered dangerous weapons, especially for someone with a restricted status.
Charges were filed as Valdez was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, and failure to disclose identity, Myers was also taken into custody on outstanding warrants.
