Florencia 13 Gang Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Drug and Firearm Crimes

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Florencia 13 Gang Member, Gregorio Tabarez-Hernandez, aka “Trigger,” 20, of Sandy, Utah, was sentenced today to 240 months’ imprisonment, and three years’ supervised release for drug and gun crimes he committed in 2023.

The sentence, imposed by U.S. District Court Judge David Barlow, comes after Tabarez-Hernandez pleaded guilty on September 4, 2025 to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of a machine gun.

According to court documents and admissions made at Tabarez-Hernandez’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on October 19, 2023 law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence. In Tabarez-Hernandez’s closet, investigators located cocaine, small plastic bags, over $23,000 in cash, and two firearms. One of the firearms was a Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun equipped with a machinegun conversion device known as a “switch.” Tabarez-Hernandez admitted that he had been distributing cocaine and that he possessed the firearms to protect his drugs and money.

Tabarez-Hernandez has a history of firearm offenses which is consistent with his association with Florencia 13, a criminal street gang affiliated with the Surenos.

“I am grateful to our state enforcement partners for their excellent investigation that led to Mr. Tabarez-Hernandez’s arrest,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah.  “This administration is committed to working with our federal and state partners to stop drug trafficking and organized crime in our communities. Mr. Tabarez-Hernandez’s 20-year sentence demonstrates that strong commitment.”

“These types of cases require a lot of work for law enforcement, and the arrest and conviction of Mr. Tabarez-Hernandez is a perfect example of how partnering with local, state and federal agencies gets results,” said Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera. 

"We are thankful for the hard work that the investigators put into this case,” said Sandy City Police Chief Greg Severson. “We are appreciative of our partnerships with local and federal agencies in taking this individual off our streets."        

The case was investigated jointly by the Sandy City Police Department and the Salt Lake County Metro Gang Unit.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah prosecuted the case.