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SLCPD Officers Seize Gun as Part of Stratified Policing Efforts

SALT LAKE CITY — Officers assigned to the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Pioneer Patrol Division seized a firearm and fentanyl as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to reduce violent crime.

This investigation started last week on Saturday, October 14, 2023, when a patrol officer, conducting proactive patrol near 1000 West North Temple, saw a person illegally trespassing at a convenience store. The officer identified the man as 31-year-old Milo Salters.

The officer saw multiple no trespassing signs in plain view near Salters.

In addition to criminally trespassing, the officer found Salters had an active warrant for his arrest.

During the investigation, officers found Salters in possession of a revolver, fentanyl pills, brass knuckles, multiple checks that did not belong to him, and other drug paraphernalia.

While in custody, Salters suddenly told officers he swallowed fentanyl.

Because of its potency, fentanyl can be very dangerous and lead to overdose.

Salt Lake City Fire and Gold Cross Ambulance took Salters to the hospital. Doctors found Salters to be in good condition. There were no signs of Salters being in medical distress or evidence that he in fact swallowed fentanyl.

Officers believe Salters created the false emergency to possibly avoid being arrested.

“Each minute dedicated by our police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, and doctors to address, and treat, a situation that later proves to be a false emergency – because someone is trying to avoid going to jail – is a minute that could have been dedicated to someone in legitimate need of emergency help. It jeopardizes the safety of our entire community and taxes our health care and emergency response systems,” said Chief Mike Brown.

After being medically cleared, officers booked Salter into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of possession of a control substance, being a restricted person in possession of a firearm, making a false report, criminal trespass, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Because Salters is a known drug user and has access to firearms, officers successfully described to the court that Salters would be a substantial danger to the community if released on bail.

Salters is currently being held without bail in the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.

The Salt Lake City Police Department continues to use the principles of stratified policing to improve policing services, reduce crime and minimize the harm caused by offenders and maintain our positive relationship with our community.

To address the criminal activity occurring within Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake City Police Department is utilizing a well-established and researched model of hot spots, or “focus area,” policing. Through this process, the Salt Lake City Police Department has increased police visibility at and around addresses where violent crime is concentrated, based on crime analysis.

Year-to-date, violent crime is down nearly 11% citywide, property crime is down 15%, and overall crime is down nearly 15%.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

A photo of the firearm seized during this investigation is being released. Media may use this photo with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

1 – A photo taken by an officer of evidence, including a firearm, seized during a criminal investigation (SLCPD photo, October 14, 2023).

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