By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
Two Cedar City men have been arrested and are facing several felony charges following a lengthy investigation by the Iron/Garfield/Beaver Narcotics Task Force.
Mark Anthony Embry, 62, and Kenneth Lane Collins, 60, were taken into custody on charges related to drug distribution and weapons possession.
According to court documents filed in 5th District Court, both men are convicted felons who have been under investigation for several months.
The affidavit also names a 45-year-old woman as a third suspect, who has not yet been formally charged. This woman, also a convicted felon, is alleged to have been involved in criminal activities with Embry and Collins.
Embry was arrested on October 10, 2024, after police served a search warrant at his residence after reportedly learning that he was in possession of three firearms obtained from Collins: a .38 caliber handgun, a .45 caliber handgun, and an AR-15.
Before executing the warrant, agents were observing the residence when they witnessed what appeared to be a drug transaction taking place outside. After arresting Embry, officers discovered over 19 grams of methamphetamine and a $20 bill in his pocket, which the buyer had indicated was the amount he paid for the drugs.
“During a post Miranda interview, Mark informed agents that Kenneth had given him a .38 special to trade for methamphetamine in Las Vegas,” the probable cause statement states adding, “Mark admitted to driving to Las Vegas and trading the handgun for 4 ounces of methamphetamine, which was later distributed throughout the greater Iron County area.”
Embry also told police Collins and the woman are in possession of multiple firearms, swords, other assorted dangerous weapons, and controlled substances.
On October 23, Embry was additionally charged when investigators found text messages suggesting he was involved in further drug sales and illegally possessing firearms. His status as a convicted felon prohibits him from having firearms.
Collins was previously arrested on February 15, following a controlled drug buy in November 2023, during which an informant successfully purchased methamphetamine from him.
Task force agents later tracked a vehicle suspected of transporting drugs for Collins. A traffic stop revealed about two ounces of methamphetamine, and the driver confirmed the drugs were intended for Collins.
Subsequent searches of Collins’ residence uncovered additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
In that case, Collins pleaded guilty to two third-degree felony drug possession charges on July 2. He was sentenced in 5th District Court in Cedar City to 36 months of probation and a $950 fine just a day before agents executed the most recent search warrant at his apartment.
During the search officers allegedly located multiple hypodermic needles in a drawer in Collins’ bedroom. One of the needles contained a clear liquid which field tested positive for methamphetamine, the affidavit states.
They also found a sword, several large knives, homemade weapons and an imitation firearm
According to the recent affidavit, Collins allegedly admitted during questioning that he and the woman had stolen firearms from a man in Parowan, who was receiving hospice care, and had either sold or traded them for drugs.The couple had been hired by the man to do yard work and housekeeping.
Both Embry and Collins face multiple felony counts, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a restricted person. Collins also faces a count of burglary of a dwelling, a second-degree felony.
Both men’s prior felony convictions enhance the severity of their current charges.
Officers requested both men be held in jail without bail due to their prior convictions and history of drug-related offenses.
“Collins’ actions of stealing and trading firearms for controlled substances puts the community at high risk. It is likely he would continue these acts if released,” court documents state.