By Travis Uresk
9/25/24
| Uintah County | September 24th, 2024 |
Agent McGaha stated in the Affidavit of Probable Cause that "throughout the past few months, there has been information passed to the Uintah County Sheriff's Office and the Uintah Basin Narcotics Strike Force that 25-year-old Nicholas James Keller has been distributing illegal narcotics to multiple people, including juveniles. Deputies have observed short-stay traffic in and around the residence, and neighbors have complained about the traffic."
On September 11, 2024, Agent McGaha was on duty with the Uintah Basin Narcotics Strike Force when dispatch informed him of a tip that had been called in regarding an overdose that took place the night before.
The caller was listed as anonymous in the call notes. Agent McGaha called the anonymous tip informant, and they stated a cousin, a juvenile male, had overdosed and was taken to the Emergency Room by his mother.
The agent called the juvenile male's mother and asked about the incident. She confirmed there was an incident and stated he could talk to them about it.
On 09/11/2024, Agent McGaha interviewed the Juvenile with the mother's permission.
The Juvenile stated they had previously purchased illegal narcotics from Nicholas at his residence in Uintah County. This home was defined as a single-story square studio house.
They stated they had purchased illegal narcotics on multiple occasions spanning the period of the last 5 months. The Juveniles said they had observed cocaine, THC Vape cartridges, and mushrooms during these visits spanning from May 2024 to September 10, 2024.
The Juveniles told the agent they had purchased psilocybin mushrooms from Keller for $65.00. They entered the residence and saw four large gallon-sized bags of Psilocybin mushrooms and approximately 30 THC Cartridges.
The Juvenile stated they consumed these mushrooms and had a bad reaction, and was admitted into the hospital.
Agent McGaha got permission to obtain medical records from the hospital.
The Juveniles stated they had observed Keller store multiple types of illegal narcotics in his residence and Keller's registered vehicle. This is identified as a Green four-door 2005 Buick Lacrosse CX.
The Juvenile also stated Keller had threatened them with a firearm. This firearm is described as a gold and silver 9 mm handgun. The Juvenile stated they had also been sent pictures of a Glock handgun.
They added they have seen, in the past five months, THC cartridges, large amounts of cocaine, and large amounts of Psilocybin Mushrooms on the counters and stored throughout the residence in open view. There was also THC concrete kept in the freezer to keep it in a solid. They also stated they had observed a 2-year-old in the residence with illegal narcotics and during illegal narcotics dealings with Keller.
On 09/11/2024, Agent McGaha observed Keller's residence area and observed multiple short-stay traffic come and go.
The agent discussed this issue with Uintah County Deputies, including Sgt Watkins, who stated they have been watching this residence due to complaints about the level of traffic in the area. Deputies have reported that many vehicles have arrived and departed after a short visit to Keller's residence.
It has also been observed that pedestrians crossing 2500 W enter Keller's residence and then quickly back across the street. It has also been noted that this appears to be younger people crossing from a parked vehicle.
On 09/12/2024, Agent McGaha obtained the medical records and talked to the ER doctor about the Juvenile's demeanor. He stated that the Juvenile presented an altered mental state, and the mother said the Juvenile had consumed mushrooms. He stated he was admitted for observation. A urine panel form toxicology reports listed positive for THC. The hospital also noted his incontinence and vomiting to be consistent with overdose.
A criminal history check was performed on Keller, and it revealed three possession of marijuana convictions and a felony 3 for possession with intent to distribute conviction.
On September 13, 2024, Agents with the UBNSF executed a search warrant on Kellers's residence in Uintah County.
As the warrant team arrived, vehicles associated with Keller arrived and quickly departed. During the search, 3 ounces of Psilocybin mushrooms, 1 ounce of marijuana THC concentrate, approximately 10 grams of flower marijuana, and 12 grams of other marijuana THC cartridges were located throughout the residence. There was a small amount of suspected cocaine located.
After the execution of the residence warrant, Agent McGaha contacted Keller via phone call in an attempt to locate Keller and his vehicle. He stated that he was in Park City, and another person was operating his residence.
Neighboring witnesses placed Keller departing the residence just minutes before the execution of the warrant. During the phone call, Keller stated he could return to Vernal and would call Agent McGaha when he arrived back in town.
Keller inquired why the agent needed to talk to him, and Agent McGaha advised him that he knew what was going on and why the police needed to speak with him.
Agent McGaha attempted to contact Keller by phone and text message several times and left voicemails to call him back. He advised Keller that if he did not contact him, he would apply for an arrest warrant. Witnesses stated there have been social media posts with his location in the Jensen, Utah, area.
On September 18, 2024, Agent McGaha talked to the property manager. She stated Keller had been in contact with the property owner, and he said Keller was on the run and would not be coming back. Neighbors have reported two females removing Keller's items from the residence. She also reported that Keller would advise when he was out of the residence.
On September 23, 2024, Agent McGaha saw a text message from witnesses that Nicholas Keller threatened to kidnap a child of the informants if he was not given information about the location of the Juvenile. Vernal City PD took a case in reference to this threat.
Unconfirmed reports of Keller being observed in the area and actively fleeing apprehension for the stated charges. There have also been verbal reports of threats against juveniles in an attempt to locate this witness.
On September 24, 2024, Agent McGaha was able to locate Keller and place him under arrest. He was then taken to the Uintah County Jail.
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