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FARMINGTON — Two men made their first court appearance Wednesday, where 2nd District Judge Michael DiReda denied them bail for their suspected role in a "multinational drug trafficking investigation, yielding over 20 pounds of field tested methamphetamine."
Hector Louie Vazquez, 39, and Juan Manuel Guerrero, 36, were both charged with distribution or arranging to distribute a controlled substance, a second-degree felony, after police say they attempted to sell undercover Davis County agents 21 pounds of meth.
Guerrero drove from Mexico to California with Vazquez to pick up the meth, before delivering the drugs to officers who arranged a meeting in North Salt Lake, according to court documents.
Guerrero appeared on screen in the custody of Davis County Jail during the virtual hearing, a broad man with a dark beard, and listened quietly to the judge discuss his custody. While the state was asking for no bail — presenting Guerrero as a flight risk who was "in Utah solely to commit that crime" according to prosecutor Jake Gallegos — DiReda was more concerned about "the substantial danger" posed by the alleged offense.
"Twenty pounds of meth is very concerning to the court," DiReda said. "All you have to do is work in a specialty court to see how drugs can devastate and upend lives."
Guerrero said, "Thank you, God bless," when he heard the judge's decision to hold him without bail, and exited the view of the camera.
Vazquez appeared before the court about 30 minutes later, with long unkempt hair and a beard, and large glasses reflecting the computer screen. He was given the same treatment — no bail — due to "substantial evidence to support the charge" and "substantial danger to the community."
Both men are scheduled to appear in court Aug. 5 to address their custody status in arraignment hearings with Judge Ronald Russell.
