A Utah County man has been detained following his indictment by a federal grand jury on charges related to attempting to receive carfentanil for distribution in Utah. Carfentanil is an extremely potent substance, primarily used as a tranquilizer for large animals, and poses significant risks due to its potency.
Court documents reveal that Clint James Pendleton, aged 29 from Provo, Utah, attempted to obtain approximately 20 grams of carfentanil on January 22, 2025. The package intended for an address in Payson, Utah was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Los Angeles International Airport. Testing confirmed the presence of carfentanil. Law enforcement tracked the package back to Pendleton who had subscribed for tracking updates and discovered records of previous criminal activities involving controlled substances.
Pendleton faces charges of attempted possession with intent to distribute carfentanil. His first court appearance took place on February 5, 2025, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Salt Lake City.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Trina A. Higgins for the District of Utah. The FBI Salt Lake City Field Office and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force are leading the investigation while Special Assistant United States Attorney Pete Reichman is handling prosecution duties.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime through collaborative law enforcement efforts and community engagement initiatives.