Two Honduran nationals residing illegally in the United States have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of drug and immigration violations. Jorge Luis Hernandez-Valle, 36, and Luis Alfredo Hernandez, 35, were apprehended in Salt Lake County, Utah, under suspicion of participating in a drug trafficking organization.
According to investigative documents, the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force has been examining the alleged drug activities since March 2025. The investigation included controlled narcotics purchases, leading to the identification of two drug runners and their vehicles. On April 8, one vehicle, a Toyota 4-Runner, was intercepted in Kearns, Utah. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 4,500 fentanyl pills. Following the seizure, Hernandez and Hernandez-Valle were detained. Records indicate Hernandez faced previous deportations in July 2009 and September 2018, while Hernandez-Valle was deported in December 2007, September 2010, and May 2019.
The charges against the two include possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and illegal reentry after deportation. Their initial court appearance took place on April 18, 2025, before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Salt Lake City.
Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti for the District of Utah announced the charges. The investigation is a collaborative effort between the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reichman is handling the prosecution for the District of Utah. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The indictment is an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.