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A Female Destroys Evidence On Her Cellphone Before Being Arrested With Fentanyl

  • Writer: Travis Uresk
    Travis Uresk
  • Jul 17, 2024
  • 3 min read
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7/17/24


| Vernal, Ut. | July 14th, 2024 |


The Uintah Basin Narcotic Strike Force (UBNSF) was advised by a Confidential Informant (CI) who stated they had contacted 36-year-old Shae Leena Smith. The CI stated Smith then provided them with the fentanyl pills.


The CI then returned to the prearranged location and turned over 10 blue M/30 pills. The CI reported Smith handed them the baggie of fentanyl pills, and they handed Smith the money, and the deal was completed.


On July 14th, 2024, Officer McGaha was on patrol duties when he saw a burgundy SUV pull to the shoulder and re-enter the road in front of Uintah County Sgt Watkins.


The vehicle continued and turned onto 500 West, then 600 North, and pulled to the shoulder. Officer McGaha turned behind the vehicle and observed a female driver. The officer went down the road, turned around, and then pulled alongside the vehicle and noticed the driver had changed.


The officer asked the current driver, Shae Smith, who was seated in the driver's seat as a level one contact. The officer observed the female sitting in the passenger seat at this time. There was also a juvenile in the passenger seat. Smith stated that she was training her daughter to drive and swapped seats with her daughter since her daughter stated she was nervous.


After Officer McGaha had completed the traffic stop, he watched the vehicle pull away from the shoulder of the road without using the turn signal to enter the travel lane.


The officer initiated another traffic stop at 300 W and Glenbrook Rd. Officer McGaha re-contacted Smith, who was driving, proceeded to the driver's window, and obtained Smith's complete driver information and date of birth. This time, Officer McGaha asked for a K9 to perform a free-air sniff of the vehicle.


Sgt Watkins arrived with his K9 and performed a free-air sniff of the vehicle. The K9 alerted on the passenger side, which is where Smith was seated originally. Officer McGaha had dispatch perform a driver and warrants check on Smith. Dispatch stated her license was suspended for no insurance and she had two statewide warrants for her arrest. Smith was asked to exit the vehicle and advised she was under arrest.


The officer asked her if she had anything on her person that would cause an extra charge at the jail. She stated that she had a tooter in her pants. She retrieved the tooter and placed it on the hood of the patrol truck. After Smith was advised of her Miranda Rights, she stated that the tooter was hers and that she had put it there before the traffic stop.


Officer McGaha advised Smith that he had probable cause for her arrest for the distribution of a controlled substance. She was asked if she had anything on or inside of her that would be seen on a scanner. Smith stated she had tinfoil and a small baggie of powder Fentanyl inside her vagina cavity.


Sgt Watkins searched the vehicle but could not locate anything further.


Officer McGaha obtained Smith's cell phone. She stated she had factory reset it because she did not want to provide further information on her daily dealings. She stated there would be evidence of distribution before she deleted it.


Smith was transported to the hospital, where she retrieved approximately a gram of Fentanyl powder from her body and three pieces of tinfoil. Smith admitted to smoking Fentanyl before the traffic stop.


After a medical clearance, Smith was transported to the Uintah County Jail, where dispatch was asked to perform a criminal history check on Smith. Smith has many possession of controlled substance convictions as high as a felony 3. These possession of controlled substance charges are enhanced to a felony 2 due to prior convictions.


Smith was booked into jail for distribution of a controlled substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, distribution of Paraphernalia, and Possession of Paraphernalia, and driving on a suspended or revoked license.


Based on the arresting officer's affirmation, the undersigned magistrate finds probable cause for Shae Leena Smith's arrest without a warrant.


The current offense is a felony committed while on probation or parole or while free on bail awaiting trial on a previous felony charge. The court finds substantial evidence to support the current felony charge.


Therefore, the court ordered that Shae Leena Smith be held without bail.


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