- Michael Thomas Gunn, 49, faces charges accusing him of offering unlicensed private investigation services.
- Gunn allegedly demanded $5,000 for services in 2025 without a valid license.
WEST JORDAN — A South Jordan man who owned a security company for many years and was associated with law enforcement in Salt Lake County is facing criminal charges alleging he collected money for private investigative services even though he did not have a license at the time.
Michael Thomas Gunn, 49, was charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with theft by deception, a second-degree felony, and acting as a private investigator without a license, a class A misdemeanor.
The alleged incident occurred in 2025 in West Valley City but was investigated by West Jordan police because Gunn had "law enforcement connections in that jurisdiction," according to charging documents. A woman told police that she "contacted Gunn on June 10, 2025, after requesting a consultation through an online service."
Gunn "represented himself as a private investigator and demanded $5,000 for legal representation and a retainer," which the woman paid to "Metro Security AIM LLC," the charges state.
Gunn "then met with (the woman) at her residence but refused to begin any work until payment was received. Approximately two weeks later, (she) met Gunn to request an update. Gunn claimed to have connections with current and former law enforcement officials and told (the woman) she had been flagged in a system that prevented her from receiving assistance," according to the charges.
The woman "later discovered Gunn did not hold a valid private investigator license," and "the service provider Gunn claimed referred him also denied any association with him. Gunn continued to present himself as legitimate and tried to sell (the woman) additional items, including purported surveillance equipment for approximately $4,000. He also claimed he could accelerate legal processes, including facilitating property seizures," the charges allege.
The woman provided investigators with "text messages, emails, and other communications from Gunn" to back up her allegations, prosecutors noted.
On Feb. 18, West Jordan police "confirmed through the Utah Department of Public Safety that Gunn does not possess an active private investigator license and is the subject of an open investigation for posing as a private investigator. Attempts to contact Gunn were unsuccessful," the charges state.
All private investigators in Utah must be licensed by the State Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which is part of the Utah Department of Public Safety. Gunn previously held a private investigator license, but not in 2025, according to the bureau.
The Gunn family established Metro Security in South Jordan in 2002. Michael Gunn is no longer associated with the business. A new owner took over Metro Security after Gunn and his former business partner became entangled in a legal dispute.
