June 16, 2017
This week the Utah Attorney General’s Office hosted the first annual Utah Human Trafficking Conference at Salt Lake Community College. Focused on training members of the law enforcement community, medical professionals, victim services providers, and educators. The conference is hosted in conjunction with OAG partners Department of Public Safety, the Utah Trafficking in Person’s Task Force, and the Refugee & Immigrant Center – Asian Association of Utah.
The topics of presentations at the 2017 Utah Human Trafficking Conference include “Using Data and Other Tools for a Targeted and Effective Human Trafficking Response,” “Some Necessary Legalese: How Statutes and Caselaw View Force, Fraud, and Coercion,” “Mapping Victimization: Interstate Enforcement & Intelligence Analysis,” “Building Trust with Workers in Rural Utah,” and “Trafficked Boys: Bringing Male Victims of Human Trafficking Out of the Shadows.”
Moderated by Attorney General Sean Reyes, panel members included Rep. Angela Romero, Russel Smith from the Utah OAG, Sgt. Steve Salas from Utah DPS, Jerome Elam, a nationally recognized activist on human trafficking and survivor, and Elizabeth Hendrix from the Asian Association.
June 12, 2017
Today Attorney General Sean Reyes joined Brian Besser, DEA District Agent in Charge, in leading the first meeting of our new Opioid Task Force as we work to address the terrible opioid epidemic. We were fortunate to be joined by many valuable and skilled partners on the task force, including Speaker Greg Hughes, Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, Rep. Eliason and Senator Evan Vickers, Councilmember Jenny Wilsonfrom the Salt Lake County Council, members of law enforcement, the medical community, academia, and congressional delegation staffers. I look forward to working together with these esteemed members of our task force as we address the fight against opioid abuse in our state.
April 29, 2017
This last Saturday was Utah Take Back Day, an opportunity for Utahns to drop off unused, unneeded, and expired prescriptions–no questions asked. And Utahns can still drop them off. Here’s my statement about the importance of getting rid of dangerous prescriptions that have exceeded their shelf life:⠀
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“Prescription drug abuse, particularly for painkillers, has risen to epidemic levels nationwide, and Utah is no exception,” said Attorney General Sean Reyes. “Prescription drugs, when administered and taken responsibly, can be a productive tool for pain management. But far too often, what begins innocently can lead to dependence and devastation.⠀
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“In addition to overprescription, unauthorized access to even properly prescribed painkillers is one of the biggest drivers toward addiction. Many users of street drugs like heroin start by abusing their own painkillers, then move to finding other people’s prescription drugs. Addicts may be soccer moms or executives. They can be our kids, grandkids, kids from the block, good students or bad students included.⠀
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“No community is immune. Addiction touches rural and urban areas, uptown or downtown neighborhoods alike. And whether we realize it or not, our medicine cabinets may be where they are looking next or where they may have already been. By teaming up on Take Back Day with partners like the DEA, AARP, and businesses and citizens across our state, we will recover hundreds, if not thousands of pounds of prescription drugs.”⠀⠀
Utahns can prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. To find a collection site near you, visit www.utahtakeback.org.
April 13, 2017
Recently, Attorney General Sean Reyes joined with Frank Abagnale in a Tele-Town Hall hosted by AARP Utah to talk about identity fraud and white collar crime. Millions of Americans fall victim to fraudulent schemes every year resulting in tens of billions of dollars landing in the pockets of con artists and other unsavory criminals. The AARP hosted the Tele-Town Hall to talk about steps people can take to protect themselves and their families. Abagnale is an AARP Fraud Watch Network Ambassador and identity theft expert, who has advised the FBI on how to outsmart con artists for over four decades. A former master check forger who inspired the 2002 Steven Spielberg film Catch Me If You Can, he was one of the world’s most famous confidence men. Today, over 14,000 financial institutions, corporations and law enforcement agencies use his fraud prevention programs.
April 12, 2017
Yesterday, Attorney General Sean D. Reyes greets youth in the Salt Lake City Police Explorer program during their visit to the Attorney General’s Office for training.
The Law Enforcement Explorer Program is a specialized Post of Learning for Life. Post #2471, which is sponsored by the Salt Lake City Police Department, is open to young men and women from the ages of 14 to 20.
April 11, 2017
With Attorney General Sean D. Reyes, Utah legislators, and mental health professionals, and supporters looking on, Governor Gary Herbert ceremonially signed SB 37, as well as two amendments to suicide prevention statutes, moving the state one step closer to a statewide crisis line. Sponsored by Utah State Senator Daniel W Thatcher and Representative Steve Eliason, along with co-sponsors Representative Carol Spackman Moss and Senator Curt Bramble, the new law creates a commission to consolidate local mental health crisis lines. By integrating existing efforts into a single crisis line, the commission is tasked to create a single statewide line connecting individuals in a mental health crisis with a mental or behavioral health professional easier.
February 15, 2017
Often, the greatest heroes in American history go unsung, sacrificing for our country without fanfare or expectation of reward. AG Reyes hosted one such person while he was introduced on the floors of the Utah House and Senate: Retired Master Sergeant Gordon “Gordy” Ewell, pictured here with Rep. Eliason and Gibson and AG Reyes prior to going on the House floor. Ewell was one of 40 select individuals part of the first Explosive Hazard Coordination Cell, hunting for and detonating improvised explosive devices. He went on 59 combat missions, leading dozens of night missions. Master Sergeant Ewell was recognized by his superiors and earned the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
February 9, 2017
Governor Herbert declared February 9, 2017 Alfie Boe Day in Utah and expressed gratitude for Alfie and his contributions to Utah music. Connected to the Attorney General’s Office through his father-in-law, David Jones, Alfie Boe was hosted at the Capitol by Attorney General Sean Reyes for visits to the House and Senate, including impromptu performances of “Danny Boy.”
January 12, 2017
Human sex trafficking is a fast-growing, multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise that spans the globe. The victims, predominantly young women and children, number in the millions. In an CLE approved-presentation with Talks On Law, AG Reyes discusses how authorities are combating this problem domestically and abroad by incorporating innovative approaches to enforcement and new laws to protect the victims and target traffickers, wherever they are. Click through here to watch and apply for CLE credit.
Attorney General Sean Reyes speaks with Talks on Law about fighting human trafficking.
January 9, 2016
Tonight Attorney General Sean Reyes introduced Dr Kevin Bales, a leading expert on modern-day slavery. Dr. Bales has traveled to some of the world’s most dangerous places documenting and battling human trafficking. In the course of his reporting, Bales began to notice a pattern emerging: Where slavery existed, so did massive, unchecked environmental destruction. But why?
At the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy’s World Affairs Lecture Series, Dr. Bales will present his newest book, Blood and Earth: Modern Slavery, Ecocide and the Secret to Saving the World, and share his gripping examination of two entwined global crises: environmental destruction and human trafficking. Bales will also share his hopeful and inspiring solutions we can all employ to fight slavery and ultimately protect our planet.
This lecture is free and open to the public, present in recognition of Human Trafficking Month in partnership with the Utah Attorney General’s Office, Refugee & Immigrant Center- Asian Association of Utah, and Engage Now Africa.
December 9, 2016
We support the positive efforts of the University of Utah’s #1-ranked Entertainment Arts and Engineering video game development program and all the good their creating. Today we joined them at EAE Play! with over 200 undergraduate and graduate students as they invited the public to come in and play their in-progress games. They’re working on everything from fun shooting games to medical apps that help with diabetes and autism. 
November 28, 2016
For 22 years, The Jazz Bear has brought smiles and happiness to kids—especially those who are sick, injured or victims. This week, Attorney General Sean Reyes honored the Jazz bear by swearing him in as an honorary agent of the Utah Attorney General’s Office. We’ve long had K-9 units, and now we will have the nation’s first Ursine unit. He has teamed up with law enforcement to lead the anti-bullying effort in schools throughout Utah. He has visited police and fire stations, hospitals and kids homes, and we are grateful for his efforts.
During the swearing-in ceremony, the AG presented the Jazz Bear with a full-sized, customized AG badge with his name and honorary agent status. We also honored Mrs. Gail Miller with her own badge. Mrs. Miller and the Miller family have been tremendous supporters of law enforcement. And we know that Bear couldn’t do what he does without their support.
November 23, 2016
Attorney General Sean D. Reyes challenges State Auditor John Dougall, Speaker Greg Hughes, and University of Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham to dance the Wookie and take the pledge to not to text while driving (endtextwrecks.org). According the FCC, 3,179 people are killed each year and 431,000 are injured in car accident related distracted driving.
November 17, 2016
AG Sean Reyes caught up with county commissioners, attorneys, sheriffs, and other leaders from across the state at the annual Utah Association of Counties annual conference in St. George this week. The panels covered issues like opioid addiction, teen suicide, JRI, public lands issues, and more.
October 14, 2016
Attorney General Reyes welcomed Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Kirby, pictured here along with Chair of the Utah State Tax Commission John Valentine, as the opening speaker at the Utah Attorney General’s Office annual CLE conference.
October 11, 2016
The Attorney General greeted statewide staff at a training for staff at the Children’s Justice Centers.
September 11, 2016
“I had many tears as I recognized my dear friend Gordon Ewell as the first inductee into the Utah Patriot Hall of Fame,” said Attorney General Sean Reyes, as he participated in Ewell’s induction to the Utah Patriot Hall of Fame in Sandy, Utah. “His parents, Rod & Marjorie and his wife, Melanie, were all there to make it even more special. Gordy has been honored in many other states but largely forgotten in his home state when it comes to recognition. While he doesn’t care, I and many other friends do. On September 11, 2016 we changed that.
“Gordy was touched by the long and thunderous standing ovation from the thousands gathered at the Healing Fields tonight. A veteran of Iraq, MSG Ewell is a recipient of a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge and many other commendations. A survivor of six separate IED explosions, he continually worked to protect his men under heavy enemy fire. Due to his service, he is legally blind, deaf and only miraculously alive, but he is the most positive, giving and patriotic person I know.
“He’s not bitter when he could be, doesn’t feel sorry for himself because he’s so busy worrying about others and he’s not depressed because he’s being strong for the tens of thousands of vets we’ve lost to suicide from depression.”
August 31, 2016
Today we announced with The Americas Council free workshops to inform, provide tools and educate the Hispanic community, regardless of their legal status. They will be held once a month from September 2016, and spread throughout the year 2017 as well. The topics will be varied: abuse and crime in buying and selling houses or cars, false notaries and fake immigration agents, cyber bullying, abuse of women, abuse of immigrants, child abuse, abuse starting new business, financial fraud, fraud in general, emotional and psychological abuse, among others.
July 27, 2016
UPPING OUR GAME: in the ongoing effort to improve our management practices, Attorney General Sean Reyes hosted Al Lama from the National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute (NAGTRI, for short) to provide management training to many of our division and section managers.
July 14, 2016
In cooperation with local and national law enforcement agencies, the Utah Attorney General’s Office announced in a press conference a multi-month investigation that resulted in the arrests of a number of individuals on human trafficking and child sex exploitation charges.
June 24, 2016
The Utah Attorney General’s Office has been recognized for its appellate advocacy by the National Association of Attorneys General. The awards were announced and disseminated on Thursday, June 23 during the NAAG Summer Meeting in Burlington, Vt. Recently retired Attorney General Laura Dupaix was honored with one of two Attorney General Career Staff of the Year Awards for extensive work on several multi-state cases. Additionally, Solicitor General Tyler R. Green, Deputy Solicitor General Laura B. Dupaix, Criminal Appeals Director Thomas B. Brunker, and Search & Seizure Section Director Jeffrey S. Gray were recognized for excellence in brief writing for the U.S. Supreme Court with the 2016 NAAG Supreme Court Best Brief Award.
