Utah Man Facing Federal Charges After Allegedly Distributing Fentanyl Resulting in Death

Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment today charging an alleged Utah drug dealer for distributing an illicit drug that resulted in the death of another person.

According to a criminal complaint, Shereldon Cly Yanito, a/k/a “Bobby,” 23, of Grand County, Utah, allegedly sold fentanyl to a victim who overdosed and was found dead by responding officers on April 15, 2022, in San Juan County. A post-mortem examination concluded that the victim died as a result of fentanyl intoxication. According to associates of the victim, Yanito sold counterfeit blue “M30” pills containing fentanyl to the victim. Financial research revealed that on April 14, 2022, the night before the victim’s deadly overdose, a $40 financial transaction occurred between the victim’s digital wallet account and Yanito’s digital wallet. In May 2023, Yanito allegedly admitted to an undercover agent via social media that he previously sold “blues” for $40 but had stopped. Following some additional messages regarding powder cocaine, Yanito agreed to meet the undercover agent but was arrested during a traffic stop and transported to Grand County Jail. 

Yanito is charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Yanito is scheduled for an arraignment on his indictment Thursday June 8, 2022, at 10 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Kohler in Room 2B 206 in the U.S District Courtroom located at the state courthouse in St. George, Utah.

U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated jointly by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Grand County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Utah are prosecuting the case.