NEOLA, Utah (ABC4) — Five people were taken into custody late last week after a 14-month-old toddler overdosed on fentanyl and “stopped breathing for a substantial amount of time.”
Police say the 14-month-old toddler overdosed on the deadly opioid in a Neola, Utah home on Sunday, Jan. 26, leading to the child being life flighted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi. It is unclear what the current condition of the toddler is.
Just over a week later, detectives took the five suspects — identified by court documents as Thomas David Montes, 63; Marcelino Junior Montes, 46; Esperanza Alberta Valdez, 44; Tamra Ann Colonna, 21; Chance Leo Montes, 20 — into custody as part of an ongoing child endangerment investigation. Detectives say all five suspects lived in the same home as the toddler.
A sixth suspect allegedly fled to tribal jurisdiction following the toddler’s overdose.
According to court documents, police found 1,600 fentanyl pills, estimated to have a street value of $20,000 within the home, as well as 18 grams of marijuana, one gram of methamphetamine, suboxone, drug paraphernalia, a 7mm rifle, knives, crossbows, taser, and various rounds of ammunition.
Upon entering the home, deputies detained Thomas, Chance, Tamra, and Marcellino Montes. When asked if anyone else was in the home, they all denied it. When asked where Valdez and the sixth suspect were, Thomas Montes reportedly said they were at another home in Whiterocks. Valdez was later found inside the home hiding beneath a large pile of blankets and pillows.
All five were charged in the Eighth District County of Duchesne County on the following charges:
Thomas David Montes
- Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
- Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, third-degree felony
- Obstructing justice, Class A misdemeanor
- Reckless endangerment, Class A misdemeanor
- Possession or a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor
- Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Tamra Ann Colonna
- Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
- Reckless endangerment, Class A misdemeanor
- Obstructing justice, third-degree felony
- Possession of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor
- Possession of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
- Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Marcelino Junior Montes
- Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
- Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, third-degree felony
- Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, third-degree felony
- Possession of a controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor
- Obstructing justice, Class A misdemeanor
- Possession of a controlled substance in a correctional facility, Class A misdemeanor
- Possession of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
- Possession of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
- Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Chance Leo Montes
- Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
- Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, third-degree felony
- Obstructing justice, Class A misdemeanor
- Reckless endangerment, Class A misdemeanor
- Possession or controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor
- Purchase, transfer, possession of a dangerous weapon by restricted person, Class A misdemeanor
- Possess or use of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
- Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Esperanza Alberta Valdez
- Distribution of a controlled substance, second-degree felony
- Possession of a controlled substance with prior distribution conviction, third-degree felony
- Purchase, transfer, possession or use of a dangerous weapon by restricted person, third-degree felony
- Purchase, transfer, possession or use of a dangerous weapon by restricted person, third-degree felony
- Obstructing justice, Class A misdemeanor
- Reckless endangerment, Class A misdemeanor
- Possession of a controlled substance, Class B misdemeanor
- Possession of drug paraphernalia, Class B misdemeanor
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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