An alleged gang member was indicted following a violent Christmas day attack in Utah, as reported in an announcement by the Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah. Javier Pedregon-Magana, known by street names "Big Payaso" and "Paya," is accused of attempting murder in a purported effort to regain the respect of his associates within the Florencia 13 gang, according to U.S. Department of Justice.
With charges including violent crime in aid of racketeering, Pedregon-Magana allegedly carried out a calculated attack, stabbing the victim several times and subsequently attempting to run him over with a car. This aggression required immediate medical attention to prevent the victim from bleeding to death, driven by the alleged assailant's intent to boost his standing with the criminal street gang. His initial court appearance was just yesterday at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse.
Joint efforts by the Sandy City Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office Metro Gang Unit led to the investigation that resulted in these charges. The federal indictment occurred on February 12, placing Pedregon-Magana in the center of a violent crime investigation that spotlights the undercurrents of gang-related violence affecting local communities.
