By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
An Enoch man who was released back into the community after federal immigration officials failed to deport him has been once again sentenced to prison following multiple criminal offenses within a short period.
Abelomar Perez de Ita, 25, who had previously been sentenced to five years in Utah State Prison for sexual solicitation, was recently convicted for two separate DUI offenses and drug possession.
Perez de Ita, originally from Mexico, was initially arrested in June 2021 after approaching three grocery store employees in Enoch with offers of money in exchange for sex. The women included one adult and two minors.
According to court documents, Perez de Ita used a translated message on his cell phone, offering between $400 and $1,000. Following the incidents, he was arrested by Enoch police and charged with two counts of sexual solicitation of a child, one count of sexual solicitation, and a DUI after his fourth trip to the grocery store that day.
During his 2021 trial, a plea agreement resulted in the dismissal of three charges, leaving him convicted of one count of sexual solicitation of a child and one DUI charge. Fifth District Court Judge Matthew L. Bell sentenced Perez de Ita to five years in prison, though the term was stayed pending federal immigration proceedings.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer on Perez de Ita, indicating plans to deport him following a year-long jail term. However, upon his release in late 2022, ICE did not take Perez de Ita into custody for deportation, allowing him to return to the community.
Once back in Enoch, Perez de Ita amassed a series of new criminal charges. The first of these occurred on June 16, 2024, when Cedar City police arrested him for DUI.
Just a few weeks later, on July 6, he was arrested again for DUI by the Iron County Sheriff’s Office. These arrests were prompted by erratic driving, with Perez de Ita’s blood alcohol content exceeding the legal limit on both occasions.
On August 12, a sheriff’s deputy observed Perez de Ita’s vehicle traveling at 78 mph in a 65 mph zone. After initiating a traffic stop, the deputy learned that he did not have a valid driver’s license but instead carried a Mexican ID card.
During the arrest process, officers found a blue vial attached to Perez de Ita’s keychain, which was confirmed to be methamphetamine. He was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The August drug charges came just one month after his second DUI arrest in July.
On October 23, 2024, Perez de Ita was sentenced to up to five years in the Utah State Prison for the DUI convictions from June and July. Under Utah law, three DUI offenses constitute a felony, resulting in a mandatory prison sentence. With additional drug possession charges pending, the Utah Board of Pardons will determine his total prison term.
Following his latest convictions, ICE placed another immigration detainer on Perez de Ita, signaling intent to deport him after he completes his prison sentence.