WASHINGTON CITY — A Washington City man was arrested Thursday and is facing 22 second-degree felony charges for his alleged involvement in the theft of 21 firearms.
Authorities were investigating a residential burglary in Washington County where 21 firearms, consisting of rifles and pistols, were reported stolen, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in support of the arrest.
Deputies received a break in the case when 23-year-old Jeremy Allen Cogdell, allegedly tried to sell one of the stolen rifles, according to the statement.
During a search of Cogdell’s residence, the report stated, deputies located an unspecified number of rifles and pistols in Cogdell’s bedroom closet.
An electronic trace was conducted on the serial number of one of the rifles discovered in the closet, according to the statement. The results showed the rifle belong to the alleged burglary victim.
Fingerprints were lifted at the residence where the burglary occurred, the report stated, and a preliminary exam of one of the prints indicated it was a possible match to Cogdell.
Cogdell was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. He was charged with 21 counts of second-degree felony theft and one count of second-degree felony burglary of a dwelling.
In Utah, a second-degree felony charge carries a penalty of one to 15 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Thus, if convicted on all counts, Cogdell could potentially face at least 22 years in prison, along with a $220,000 fine.
According to booking information, Cogdell is currently being held in police custody on $220,000 bail for his release pending trial.
Cogdell appeared before Judge G. Michael Westfall in 5th District Court Friday afternoon for an initial court appearance.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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