2 indicted with federal charges in fentanyl case following multi-agency pursuit

Composite image with background 2018 file photo of Utah Highway Patrol responding to state Route 18, Veyo, Utah, May 19, 2018; overlay photo of fentanyl pills | Overlay photo courtesy of the DEA, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Two suspects have been indicted on felony drug charges following a pursuit in Sevier County, one of whom is being held in Washington County while awaiting trial.

File photo of a Utah Highway Patrol vehicle, Iron County, Utah, Aug. 27, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Dylon Kelly, 19, and Navin Daryan Wright, 20, both of Grand Junction, Colorado, have been indicted in federal court. Each faces one count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

Kelly is being held in Washington County where he is on a federal U.S. Marshal’s hold.

The federal case was filed following a pursuit that took place in Richfield on Jan. 6 when a Utah Highway Patrol trooper noticed a gray BMW with Colorado plates traveling east on Interstate 70 at speeds over 90 mph.

When the trooper pursued the car, the suspect reportedly sped off reaching speeds over 100 mph, weaving through traffic, until the BMW exited the freeway in Richfield. The pursuit was terminated, according to the report.

The driver of the BMW reportedly sped through town in excess of 80 mph, then got back on I-70 going the wrong way.

Stock image of Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane, Utah, Oct. 21, 2020 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

The fleeing vehicle struck a set of spike strips that were deployed near mile marker 48, the officer stated. The car continued to travel at more than 90 mph with one shredded tire until it reached Salina. Kelly and a female suspect jumped from the car and ran approximately 100 yards before the pair were taken into custody by police.

The backseat passenger, identified as Wright, also fled from the car and remained at large for several hours while a multi-agency manhunt ensued. He was later located and arrested by officers backtracking the route Wright reportedly took while evading authorities. Police found a black hoodie and a black bag along the path as well.

Troopers also recovered two bundles of suspected fentanyl pills that were found along the suspect’s route near a building, as well as a larger package that contained approximately 1 pound of fentanyl powder recovered from underneath a vehicle parked nearby.

Both Wright and Kelly were arrested and booked into the Sevier County Jail facing multiple charges, including felony theft of a firearm, evading and distribution charges related to the incident.

Stock image | St. George News

Two months later, the case was brought to a federal grand jury. Both suspects were indicted and now face fentanyl and firearms charges.

Following Kelly’s arrest, he was extradited to Mesa County, Colorado, on a $10,000 warrant. Two months later, he was picked up by the U.S. Marshals service. On Monday, Kelly was returned to Utah where he remains in custody in Washington County. A three-day jury trial is expected to begin May 30 in U.S. District Court in St. George.

Wright was ordered to be held at a federal correctional facility while awaiting trial, as opposed to a county jail, and is expected to make an initial appearance before U.S. Judge Magistrate Judge Paul Kohler on April 10 in St. George.

If convicted, the maximum sentence for the distribution charge is up to 20 years in federal prison, while the firearm charge carries a sentence of not less than five years.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!