Task force nabs 3 alleged drug dealers in Washington County

Stock image | St. George News

WASHINGTON COUNTY – The Washington County Drug Task Force continues to crack down on drug related crimes in the county, nabbing three more alleged drug dealers in separate incidents within the last two days by conducting controlled drug buys through the use of confidential informants.

Shyian Mai Dowell, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 17, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News
Shyian Mai Dowell, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 17, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

The task force conducted separate narcotics distribution investigations into 20-year-old Shyian Mai Dowell, Aaron Blade Morales, 21, and 56-year-old Joseph John Butkovich, all of St. George, according to probable cause statements filed in connection with each of the arrests.

Dowell

Dowell was arrested Tuesday for allegedly selling drugs, including heroin, to a confidential informant in Washington City and St. George.

She was booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility and faces two second-degree felony counts of drug distribution.

Dowell’s bail pending trial stands at $20,000. According to booking information, she remains in custody.

Morales

Aaron Blade Morales, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 17, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News
Aaron Blade Morales, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 17, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

Morales was also arrested Tuesday after he allegedly sold drugs to a confidential informant in St. George, task force Detective Nick Hallman said in a probable cause statement supporting Morales’ arrest.

He was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility and was charged with one second-degree felony for drug distribution.

Morales’ bail stands at $10,000. According to booking information, he remains in custody.

Butkovich

Butkovich was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant in St. George, task force Detective Matt Schuman said in a probable cause statement supporting Butkovich’s arrest.

Joseph John Butkovich, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 18, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News
Joseph John Butkovich, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted Feb. 18, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

His charges were enhanced because the place he chose to meet the informant for the buy was located within a drug-free zone – as it was 959.76 feet away from Sunset Elementary School, the statement said.

He was booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility and charged with three first-degree felonies for drug distribution in a drug-free zone.

Butkovich’s bail stands at $60,000. According to booking information, he remains in custody.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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4 Comments

  • sagemoon February 19, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    Dang tweekers and junkies.

  • fun bag February 19, 2015 at 3:57 pm

    russian mafia moving to good ol’ stg? :O

  • ladybugavenger February 19, 2015 at 5:45 pm

    Guilty! Just look at their picture 😉 keep em locked up!

  • Mesaizacd February 19, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    Dang alleged Washington County drug dealing tweekers

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