By Travis Uresk
2/23/24
On February 13th, 2024, Trooper Searle with the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) was informed by Sgt Watkins with the Uintah County Sheriff's Office (UCSO) that 36-year-old Nathaniel Jonas-Accawanna had a warrant issued for his arrest on this day and was living in Vernal and drive's a blue Chevy pickup.
Trooper Searle performed a records check on Nathaniel and saw he had a warrant and an ID photograph. The Trooper drove to the area of the suspect's address and saw a male near the garage of the residence, matching Nathaniel's description.
The male saw Trooper Searle and started walking toward his patrol vehicle east of the residence's garage door. The Trooper asked the male his name, and he said he was Nathaniel. Trooper Searle stepped out of his vehicle and asked Nathaniel to speak with him.
At 10:04 pm, Nathaniel was arrested without incident for his no-bail warrant.
A search of Nathaniel's person was conducted, and two lighters were found in his pants pockets. He was then placed in the back of the patrol vehicle.
Nathaniel asked if the Trooper could get his wife's phone number off the wall in his garage. As the Trooper walked toward the garage, he saw a blue pipe with a white crystal-like substance on the lawn where Nathaniel had walked toward Trooper Searle.
Trooper Searle also found in a box of cigarettes with money and two plastic bags with a clear crystal-like substance taped to the box on the lawn where Nathaniel was seen. Nathaniel watched the Trooper pick up the contraband and informed him it was not his and didn't even smoke.
Trooper Seale informed Nathaniel the contraband was found on his property where he had walked; the items had no frost on them where the grass did, and he pulled two lighters from his pocket. Nathaniel was also informed that he wouldn't help him contact his wife if he was going to lie.
Nathaniel admitted the contraband was his, and the Trooper retrieved the phone number. He was transported to the Uintah County Jail.
While at the jail, Nathaniel's probation agent was called and went to the residence to search Nathaniel's truck. The agent found a broken clear glass meth pipe and gave it to Trooper Searle.
The Trooper returned to the section five field office and performed a field test on the crystal-like substance in the clear plastic bag. The substance tested positive for meth. The contraband was then booked into the field office for evidence.
I don't understand this, all the work the officers did to get this guy off the street just to release him a few hours later.
