Utahn accused of shooting officer had been released from probation early

A Sandy man accused of shooting a police officer earlier this month during a SWAT standoff was recently released more than two years early from state supervised probation because of good behavior, court records show.

A Sandy man accused of shooting a police officer earlier this month during a SWAT standoff was recently released more than two years early from state supervised probation because of good behavior, court records show. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)


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SANDY — On July 13, Sean DeJesus Darragh had his state supervised probation terminated early because he had been doing well and was showing progress, according to court records.

Just eight weeks later, however, police say Darragh shot a police officer as a SWAT team attempted to enter his apartment to serve a warrant where Darragh was allegedly dealing drugs.

On Wednesday, Darragh, 51, of Sandy, was released from a local hospital and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of two counts of aggravated assault targeting law enforcement, two counts of theft of a gun, two counts of possession of a weapon by a restricted person, and drug possession with intent to distribute.

Members of the Sandy Police Department's SWAT team were serving a search warrant on Darragh's apartment, 222 W. Harrison Street (8990 South), on Sept. 8 as part of a drug investigation.

"Almost immediately, Sandy SWAT officers began taking gunfire. At least two SWAT officers were in the doorway and in the line of fire when shots were fired at them," according to a police booking affidavit.

SWAT officers returned fire. One officer was shot and rushed to a local hospital for surgery. Darragh was also shot and hospitalized.

Sandy police have not released the officer's name, but according to a GoFundMe campaign* set up by a fellow officer, the officer shot was Sandy Police Sgt. Greg Moffit.

After the shooting, officers returned to the apartment with another search warrant to collect evidence.

"Upon service of the search warrant, two handguns belonging to Sean were located in close proximity to where Sean was located. According to individuals interviewed in relation to this case, Sean almost always carries two handguns on his person at all times," the affidavit states.

Both guns were determined to be stolen and methamphetamine and paraphernalia used for selling drugs was also seized, according to police.

"Multiple people interviewed by investigators stated Sean was involved in (the selling) of illegal narcotics," the affidavit states.

The shooting came less than two months after Adult Probation and Parole asked a judge to terminate Darragh from probation early from his previous drug-related conviction. In October, Darragh was convicted of an amended charge of attempted drug possession with intent to distribute. He received a suspended sentence of up to five years at the Utah State Prison and was placed on three years of probation.

According to a report filed by Adult Probation and Parole dated July 13, Darragh had "done very well" while on probation and agents "never found a violation at his residence," and noted he "displayed a positive attitude."

"Mr. Darragh has made the appropriate changes in his life to become a productive member of society," the report states.

His 36-month probation was terminated after nine months according to court records,

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Pat Reavy is a longtime police and courts reporter. He joined the KSL.com team in 2021, after many years of reporting at the Deseret News and KSL NewsRadio before that.

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