Three Different Law Enforcement Agencies Conduct A Search Warrant At An Apartment In Vernal

By Travis Uresk

5/18/24

| Vernal, Ut. | May 17th, 2024 |

Yesterday, members of the US Marshals, FBI Task Force, and the Uintah Basin Narcotic Strike Force conducted a search warrant at an apartment located at 200 West 350 North.

During the warrant service, Task Force Agents located broken-up blue pills inside a purse in a bedroom that belonged to 31-year-old Haley Raven Burnett.

The purse also contained a wallet with her Utah Driver's license. A baggie of methamphetamine was found next to the bed. There was also a large quantity of Fentanyl pills and a powder version of Fentanyl. There were also large quantities of foil with burnt residue, pipes, tutors, bongs, and other items used in drug activity.

While searching the second female's property, identified as 33-year-old Heather Denise Kirchner, Agents found a spoon with white residue with burn marks on the bottom.

There was a silver container with one blue M-30 Fentanyl pill with another one cut in pieces. Heather stated she had the Fentanyl pill and a needle to inject the drug. The Agent tried to speak with Heather further but told him she didn't want to talk to him anymore.

Haley was interviewed at the Uintah County Jail and admitted that the crushed pills in her purse were hers, and admitted that the right side of the bed was her side and that the methamphetamine was also hers.

Haley also disclosed that she had a bong in her bedroom. When Haley was informed that the agents had seized her phone and intended to seek a search warrant for her, Haley was asked if there would be any information on her phone indicating narcotics distribution activity.

Haley admitted that there would probably be some on her phone. When questioned about the large quantity of pills, she asked to terminate the interview and requested her lawyer.

Haley was booked into Uintah County Jail for two counts of possession of controlled substances. One of which was enhanced for the distribution of Fentanyl.

Haley was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Heather was transported to Uintah County jail, where she was booked for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both charges were enhanced due to prior convictions.

During the time frame from when the Marshals deployed the flashbang, to meet the knock requirement of the warrant, and they used a loud speaker to call the individuals out of the residence.

There was a delay from when the initial contact and the commands were given and when the occupants started to exit the residence. When 26-year-old Devon James Scott Yonker exited the residence, he was detained. Devon asked FBI Agent Harrison if he would retrieve his cellphone from the bathroom for him. The cellphone was later located in another location inside of the residence.

During the warrant service Task Force Agents located empty plastic bags containing white residue inside of the bathroom of the residence as well as sealed bags of fentanyl tablets floating in the toilet. a baggie containing pills tucked in the couch between the seat cushion and the arm of the chair. There were also large quantities of drug paraphernalia located in the front room and other locations in the residence.

After the search warrant an interview was conducted with Devon at the Uintah County Jail. During the interview, Devon disclosed that before the flashbang went off he was sleeping on the couch in the front room. Devon stated that when the Marshals called them out of the residence he was the third one to come out of the house.

Devon was asked if he helped with disposing the drugs in the bathroom and he denied having any involvement. Devon was asked about why he thought that his phone was in the bathroom and he claimed that he used the bathroom and left the phone in there.

When Devon was informed that we had his cellphone in evidence and a search warrant will be requested to look through his phone. Devon was asked if any drug activity would be found on his phone. Devon admitted that there might be some. Devon admitted to using marijuana and stated that he buys his marijuana from the dispensary in Colorado and he stated that he does not have a marijuana card.

Devon also admitted to using some other drugs recently and stated that his probation agent is aware of his addictions and allows him to use as long as he attends his classes and other requirements. After the interview, Devon's AP&P agent was contacted and informed of Devon's involvement in this case. AP&P Agent Peterson placed a 72 hour hold on Devon.

On 5/20/24 FBI Taskforce Agent Watkins conducted an interview with Eric Williamson. Eric was read his Miranda warning prior to the interview proceeding. During this interview, Eric Williamson admitted that he was disposing drugs in the toilet when the Marshals were giving him commands to exit the residence. Eric stated that other individuals inside of the residence, including Devon, was assisting him with disposing the drugs in the toilet.

Devon James Scott Yonker is being held without bail.

Haley Burnett is being held without bail.

Heather Kirchner was later released.

All the articles that come from 1nationjustice.com are from the affidavits & probable cause reports that the officers write. If you would like you can get a copy of the report from the website below. It does cost money to open every document you want to read. You can also look up any case in the state of Utah from this site.

https://pubapps.utcourts.gov/XchangeWEB/XchangeWebServlet