Utah fugitive arrested for investigation of drug, forgery charges in Nevada

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MESQUITE, Nevada — A wanted Utah fugitive was arrested last week in Nevada for investigation of an active felony parole violation, police said.

On Dec. 22, detectives with the Mesquite Police Department located the individual staying at a hotel. Upon taking the suspect into custody, police noticed evidence of criminal activity in his bedroom, according to a press release.

Mesquite detectives were acting on a tip from the Utah Parole and Probation that James Buice Phillips, 35, of South Salt Lake, was likely in the area.

Detectives obtained and executed a search warrant of Phillips' hotel room. In the search, authorities recovered methamphetamine, heroin and evidence of a check forgery lab, Mesquite police said. Roughly 90 checks had been forged and written out to the suspect, which were ready for deposit, according to a press release. Phillips was also in possession of a stolen moving van that was parked closed to the hotel room, police said.

Phillips was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on investigation of 58 felony counts of forgery, 27 felony counts of possession with intent to utter fictitious note, seven counts of attempt to possess identifying information of another person, felony possession of heroin, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of a forgery lab and felony possession of a stolen vehicle.

"Our strong working relationship with other law enforcement agencies helps us combat crime that comes to Mesquite through interstate travel," Mesquite Police Chief MaQuade Chesley said in a press release. "I am grateful our detectives worked earnestly to locate and arrest this wanted criminal before he could victimize the businesses and citizens of Mesquite."