Man arrested on multiple counts of drug distribution

WASHINGTON CITY — The Washington County Drug Task Force arrested a 44-year-old Washington City man Thursday evening on six first-degree felony counts of drug distribution and drug possession.

Following an ongoing investigation of Guillermo Valdez, 44, also known as “Gordo,” detectives acquired six separate controlled buys of methamphetamine during July and August, St. George Police Capt. Kyle Whitehead said.

Guillermo Valdez, of Washington City, booking photo posted Oct. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Guillermo Valdez, of Washington City, booking photo posted Oct. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

After securing a search warrant for Valdez’s residence in Washington City, officers responded to the residence which was vacant at the time they arrived. During the search of Valdez’s bedroom a white crystal material was found along with a digital scale and plastic baggies, Whitehead said.

Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy B.J. Judy, who was assisting the drug task force, came in contact with Valdez along with Elizabeth Gonzalez, also a resident of the house, away from the residence.

During a search of Valdez and Gonzalez, Judy found a small plastic bag with suspected methamphetamine on Valdez’s person. A presumptive test of the substance tested positive for amphetamine. Valdez admitted to using meth the day prior after being read his Miranda Rights, Whitehead said.

Elizabeth Gonzalez, of Washington City, booking photo posted Oct. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Elizabeth Gonzalez, of Washington City, booking photo posted Oct. 9, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

While searching Gonzalez’s person, a glass pipe with a crystalline substance was discovered which tested positive for amphetamine. After being read her Miranda Rights, Gonzalez admitted to possessing illegal substances and having used meth the same day, Whitehead said.

Valdez and Gonzalez were arrested and booked into Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

Valdez was charged with six first-degree felonies for drug distribution and a third-degree felony for possession of drugs. According to bookings information Valdez’s current bail stands at $125,000.

Gonzalez was charged with a third-degree felony for possession of methamphetamine and a class B misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia. According to bookings Gonzalez’s current bail stands at $5,583.

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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5 Comments

  • THAT GUY October 10, 2014 at 11:42 pm

    This was in St George not Washington city. 2056 E Middelton Dr.Is the Casita del Sol townhouses. Where drug dealing and gang banging is a way of life. I wish the police would potrol that neighborhood more, and the home association would clean it up. It is turning into a getho getting more dirty and run down with each passing year. Used syringes are offten found lying in the gutter, and strewn along 800 east and the vacant lot adjacent to it. The sadest part is drugs are sold openly through out the complex, and the drug dealers use children as mules and look outs. I find this unacceptable the police are aware of the situation but can not be everywhere all the time. The whole neighborhood can see what is going on as well. But most of the neighbors are either to scared to say any thing for fear of retaliation, or they are involed and a part of the problem. St George is not the quite little berg it used to be. And ignoreing the problems will not make them go away. If you see something say something.

    • tc rider October 11, 2014 at 9:02 am

      I wonder if city of saint george is trying to cover up the fact that middleton is the drug capital of the city?
      Could it be because of escaalera development located in middleton.
      Anyways I wonder if law enforcement is aware of suspicious activity at 2075 circle drive, which is opposite middleton drive from del sol. All they have to do is watch the street and cops would see the constant activity of people coming and going all hours.
      It would be nice to see middleton patrolled a little bit, especially at night, there seems to be alot of people moving anywheres from 9pm-into morning hours.

      • that guy October 13, 2014 at 2:16 pm

        Middelton area the drug capital of the city sigh I think not. It has it’s druggie crowd but is no more infested with them then anywhere else in St George. The problem is no one is really willing to talk about the rise of drug use here. Just ask any cop here they will tell you it is a problem and they need the publics help. Many crimes and drug activity go unreported. Which only enboldens the criminals and druggies to believe they are untouchable. The rise of street gangs is increasing as well. And as the population continues to grow so will the citys criminal underground. You think it is bad now give it a few more years. As long as good citizens remain silent the criminals, druggie crowd, and the gangs will continue to run their operations. And the police will do the best they can to stop them and their activities .This is your city take a stand to help take it back. Make that call break the silence. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING! Becaues if your not part of the solution, your part of the problem !

  • that guy October 13, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    How about that RV Park on Middelton Dr? A lot of un-desireabel characters come and go from there. And suspicious activity can be seen by any who look that way. And on the subject of 2075 E cir. It often smells like some one is cooking meth on that street. Heavy smell of chemicals in the air late at might. Something that needs looking into to say the least.

    • the dude October 18, 2014 at 10:29 am

      I live in the RV park. The management there has very strict standards, and 0 tolerance for drugs. You should get some info { local police, DA, drug task force) before you disparage a business.

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