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Drugs and other items found at Cory Jolley's home shown Oct. 13, 2021. (Courtesy Utah County Sheriff)

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Marijuana grow found in Jolley's bedroom shown Oct. 13, 2021. (Courtesy Utah County Sheriff)

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Utah County residents are responding on social media after an on-call judge allowed a Spanish Fork man to be released on bail after he was arrested on several drug and illegal firearms charges on Oct. 13.

Cory Jolley, 31, was arrested after detectives and SWAT served a search warrant on the home where he was living. Jolley allegedly had large quantities of fentanyl and illegal firearms.

Most residents appear supportive online of the arrest and how the detectives worked the case, but some are asking how he could be released.

One resident wrote on the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, “Why is he back on the street not even a full 24 hours after being booked? You can keep on arresting people and collecting bail money or you can keep them off the street.”

The fear is the access to the fentanyl and the dangers it brings to neighbors, the city and other areas.

“Of significant concern is the fentanyl found during this investigation,” said Spencer Cannon, sheriff’s office spokesperson. “Recognizing that fentanyl is prescribed and administered in micrograms (mcg), and recognizing that a fatal dose of fentanyl is 2 milligrams (mg), it is disturbing that 32.53 grams of fentanyl is enough to kill over 16,000 people.”

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is a Schedule II prescription drug and is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery.

Fentanyl is often compared to heroin as a fast-acting and lethal opioid. The American Addiction Center said, “Fentanyl is more potent than heroin and can therefore cause a toxic buildup and lead to overdose faster and in lower doses.”

“The search warrant was the result of an investigation which started after detectives received information about a man involved in distributing fentanyl,” Cannon said. “Detectives received information from several sources that the fentanyl was being sold in both powder and pill form. It was also reported that the man had firearms in his possession including semi-automatic firearms.”

Detectives had the Utah County SWAT team conduct a traffic stop on the suspect after he left the home in a car. After he was in custody, the SWAT Team then approached the residence and called several other individuals out of the residence. SWAT officers then cleared the residence wearing gas masks and other protective gear due to the dangers of the fentanyl powder, according to Cannon.

Detectives then searched the residence wearing protective gear as well. A small amount of marijuana was located in the suspect’s bedroom. Other drugs, including methamphetamine and heroin, along with drug paraphernalia were also allegedly found throughout the home, Cannon said.

“Detectives located in a safe a total of 32.53 grams of powder they believed to be fentanyl. The substance was packaged and sealed at the residence. It was tested later at a more secure location which showed the powder was positive for fentanyl,” Cannon said.

He added that 74 pills were found that are believed to be counterfeit 30 mg Oxycodone Hydrochloride. They were also tested for fentanyl and showed positive. A handgun with the serial number removed was also found in the safe alongside the other drugs.

Totals of drugs seized are as follows:

• 32.53 grams of fentanyl powder
• 74 fentanyl pills
• 30.14 grams of methamphetamine
• 9.31 grams of heroin
• 175.3 grams of marijuana
• 2 E-cigarette cartridges containing THC
• 4 marijuana plants along with growing lights and humidifiers

When SWAT and detectives executed the warrant and searched the house, all of them wore Personal Protective Equipment. Each of them also carried Narcan in case of potential exposure to fentanyl. Narcan, the brand name for naloxone, is a medication used to treat opioid overdoses.

Cannon said none of the officers, or anyone else at the house, were dangerously exposed to the fentanyl that was found.

Jolley was booked into jail on the following charges:

• Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, three counts as a 2nd degree felony and one 3rd degree felony count.
• Knowingly produce/dispense/manufacture a controlled substance, 3rd degree felony.
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, class B misdemeanor.
• Purchase/Possession/Transfer/Use of a firearm by a restricted person, 3rd degree felony.
• Alter number on pistol/revolver, class A misdemeanor.

Bail was set on these charges at $10,000 cash or bond. Jolley bailed out of jail early the next morning.

Cannon noted that Jolley is being watched closely by detectives ahead of his court appearance.

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