Two drug dealers convicted after 25 pounds of meth were found during a traffic stop in Cedar City

By Tracie Sullivan, for Iron County Today

Two people caught with 25 pounds of meth during a traffic stop in April were convicted in Iron County.

Faily Chavez, 29, and Ramond Allen, 26, were stopped near Cedar City on April 2, 2024, for tailgating another vehicle on Interstate 15. During the traffic stop, officers searched their vehicle and found a large amount of methamphetamine hidden under the passenger side floor carpet.

Chavez and Allen both pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to resell, a second-degree felony.

Fifth District Judge Matthew L. Bell sentenced Chavez on Monday to 1 to 15 years in Utah State Prison and fined him $5,000.

Chavez's criminal record includes a previous drug trafficking conviction in federal court, a factor that weighed heavily in the state's decision to send her to prison.

“It seems like you enjoy this game,” Bell said. “You're young enough that you could do things differently, but your past history has been terrible.”

He pointed out that Chavez's actions could have resulted in much harsher federal penalties if the case had been prosecuted at the federal level.

Chavez was immediately ordered to serve her sentence in the Utah State Prison. A state pardon board will decide how long she will be incarcerated there.

Allen, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was sentenced on July 15, 2024, to 364 days in prison with credit for time already served. He was also fined $2,053 and will be placed on probation under supervision of the Adult Parole Board for 36 months after his release.

At the sentencing, Iron County Assistant District Attorney Shane Klenk acknowledged that while Allen was involved in human trafficking, his lack of criminal history and minor role in the business warranted a prison sentence rather than a prison term.

Bell turned to Allen and said that although he was not the main perpetrator, he was still responsible. Bell emphasized the seriousness of the case and reminded Allen of the dangers and consequences of his actions.

After the verdict, Iron County Prosecutor Chad Dotson addressed the differences in sentencing.

“She had a previous conviction for drug trafficking,” Dotson said. “The judge felt that this was a serious case and that she should face different consequences because of her criminal history, and we agree with that. I think it was a fair sentence and justice was done.”

Dotson also praised the Utah Highway Patrol and his deputy attorneys for their diligent work on the case that led to the seizure of the drugs and subsequent convictions.