Two Utah Residents Facing Federal Charges after Assisting Suspected Illegal Alien from Escaping Federal Custody

Salt Lake City, Utah - Two Salt Lake City residents are facing federal charges after they helped a suspected illegal alien escape from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in their vehicle, while the suspect was handcuffed. The duo allegedly used bolt cutters to remove his handcuffs and then bragged about the encounter on social media.

Kelzie Ryann Luna, 21, and George Sanchez-Juarez, 22, both of Salt Lake City, were charged by misdemeanor information on May 8, 2026.

According to allegations in court documents, on October 8, 2025, federal agents were attempting a targeted enforcement action at a Home Depot in Salt Lake City after they had identified four previously deported aliens. While federal agents were arresting one of the suspects, another suspected illegal alien, who was placed in handcuffs, escaped from the vehicle and fled on foot across the street where two people, later identified as Luna and Juarez, helped him evade arrest in a white Volkswagen Golf. Luna and Juarez then allegedly purchased bold cutters to remove the handcuffs and later bragged about helping the illegal alien escape from his lawful arrest while cursing ICE. Luna was identified by law enforcement as the passenger, and Sanchez-Juarez was the driver of the Volkswagen.

Luna and Sanchez Juarez are charged with theft, conversion, and disposal of government property, and aiding and abetting. Their initial appearance is scheduled for May 29, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in courtroom 8.4 before a U.S. Magistrate Judge at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

United States Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSI).

Assistant United States Attorney Todd C. Bouton of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah is prosecuting the case.

A misdemeanor information is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.