CEDAR CITY — A man who was arrested in Cedar City for allegedly shoplifting two cans of alcoholic beverages, a bottle of personal lubricant and a poster, is facing a felony theft charge in connection with the case.
Farrell Lee Smith, 47, was booked into Iron County Jail on Sunday afternoon on suspicion of theft with a prior felony conviction, a third-degree felony.
According to the probable cause statement filed in support of Smith’s arrest, police were called to the Cedar City Walmart after an employee notified dispatch that a customer had taken two cans of White Claw out of the store without paying. The employee reported the suspect returned shortly after.
The responding officer arrived to find the suspect in the parking lot. After being read his Miranda rights and questioned inside the store, Smith admitted to taking the beverages and other items, the report stated.
Although the total value of the stolen merchandise was estimated to be $20, Smith was charged with a felony count of theft due to prior convictions, including another felony within the past 10 years. Such an enhancement falls under the provisions of Utah Code section 76-6-412.
Utah court records show that Smith has an extensive criminal history, with multiple felony and misdemeanor convictions for offenses such as theft, criminal mischief, DUI, burglary, trespassing, intoxication and traffic offenses.
In his most recently adjudicated felony case, for which he is currently on parole, Smith was arrested in St. George on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle on Sunset Boulevard on Sept. 7, 2020. He subsequently pleaded guilty to vehicle theft, a third-degree felony, along with misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and having an open container or alcohol in a public place.
In December 2020, he was sentenced to zero to five years in prison on the felony charge and 180 days in jail for the misdemeanor counts with the judge ordering the terms to run concurrently.
Smith, who remains held without bail in Iron County, made his initial court appearance on Wednesday before 5th District Judge Matthew L. Bell.
The judge appointed public defender Jeffery Slack to represent the defendant and scheduled a roll call hearing for Monday, April 24.
This report is based on information provided by law enforcement and court documents and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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