SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging a previously removed illegal alien from Mexico with drug trafficking and immigration crimes after he allegedly trafficked narcotics out of his residence and restaurant.
Jose Gilardo Soto-Moya, 58, residing illegally in West Jordan, Utah, was initially charged by complaint on September 9, 2026.
According to court documents, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC) initiated a criminal investigation on Soto-Moya and co-conspirators, associated with a drug trafficking organization believed to be distributing large quantities of heroin and other narcotics in the District of Utah. As alleged, in August 2026, agents conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Soto-Moya at his restaurant in South Salt Lake City, Utah. As a result, detectives obtained a search warrant for Soto-Moya’s residence in West Jordan and his restaurant. On September 8, 2026, agents executed the search warrant and Soto-Moya was located at his residence where agents recovered approximately $180,630 in cash packaged in cellophane and coffee grounds. During the search of his restaurant, detectives found approximately 1,027 grams of field-tested positive heroin, and 4,047 grams of field-tested positive cocaine. Some of the drugs were also covered in coffee grounds similar to the cash found at the residence.
Soto-Moya was previously removed from the United States in 2015.
Soto-Moya is charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and reentry of a previously removed alien. A three-day jury trial is scheduled for November 23, 2026 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.
United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.
The case is being investigated jointly by Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force (UCMC). Valuable assistance was provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Special Assistant United States Attorney Peter Reichman is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.