Police tell a male not to drive his vehicle due to no driver's license. The man returns to his vehicle and drives away

By Travis Uresk

4-3-25

| Vernal, Ut. | March 31st, 2025 |

Vernal City Police were investigating a suspicious incident at 81 North 500 West, and during their investigation, they learned that 37-year-old Nathaniel Jones Accawanna had a suspended driver's license.

Sgt Cannon saw Nathaniel enter the driver's seat of a vehicle and informed him not to drive due to his driver's license status. Nathaniel then parked the vehicle in a parking space and left on foot.

Nathaniel returned a short time later, got into the vehicle with 36-year-old Valita Ann Enriquez, and left.

Sgt Cannon got in front of the vehicle, observed Nathaniel driving, and stopped the vehicle around 1000 West 500 North.

Nathaniel jumped out of the front seat and into the back seat while Valita remained in the passenger seat. Nathaniel apologized to the officer for driving and told him he didn't have insurance on the vehicle.

An inventory of the vehicle was conducted due to it being impounded because of not having insurance.

During the inventory, illegal narcotics and paraphernalia were located behind the driver’s seat. On the floorboard, a glass bong containing suspected methamphetamine residue was located. Next to the bong, a black silicone container was located. The container had seven blue Fentanyl pills.

On the seat, a black box with the names "Nate" and "Valita Enriquez" painted on it. Inside the box, there were several drug paraphernalia items, including burnt tin foil, a digital scale, a plastic "tooter, and a glass pipe.

Nathaniel was placed under arrest and advised of his rights. Nathaniel stated that he had last used methamphetamine a week prior but would not test clean today. He denied being in possession of any illegal narcotics but was seen handling the black box with the names on it.

Nathaniel was transported to the Uintah County Jail, where he was booked for possession of methamphetamine, possession of Fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a suspended license, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance.

Sgt Cannon met with Valita at the jail and advised her of her rights. During their conversation, she admitted to using meth via a bong and Fentanyl the day before. She stated that the items in the box with their names on it belonged to her and Nathaniel.

Valita was booked into the Uintah County Jail for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Fentanyl, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

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