CEDAR CITY — A Moab couple, both of whom have extensive criminal histories, each face multiple charges after being arrested on Nov. 24 near Beryl in western Iron County.
Shane Hively, 42, and Stephanie Mecham, 43, have each been held without bail in Iron County Jail since their arrests.
According to the probable cause statements filed in support of their arrests, Iron County Sheriff’s deputies, responding to a call reporting a trespasser in the area, conducted a traffic stop of a gray Mini Cooper on state Route 56 near milepost 24 in the early morning hours of Nov. 24.
Deputies subsequently questioned the driver, identified as Hively, along with his passenger Mecham, and received consent to search the vehicle.
The search yielded the following, according to the affidavit:
- A plastic baggie containing a white crystalline substance identified as methamphetamine, used and new hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia.
- More than 100 checks, some of which appeared to be signed or cashed, belonging to at least 10 individuals who reside in Grand, San Juan, and Iron counties.
- Financial cards belonging to other individuals, including at least one person who was deceased.
- A “vast assortment” of burglary tools, including, bolt cutters, pry bars, files, and other hand tools.
Hively and Mecham are each facing four felony and three misdemeanor counts in connection with the incident. The felony charges are unlawful possession of a financial card, forgery, identity fraud and possession or use of a controlled substance, all of which are third-degree felonies. In addition, they have each been charged with burglary of a vehicle and obstructing justice, both class A misdemeanors, and criminal trespassing, a class B misdemeanor.
Court records also indicated that Hively had an active fugitive from justice warrant at the time of his arrest.
The next scheduled court appearance for both co-defendants is a preliminary hearing Tuesday, Dec. 20, in 5th District Court.
During a detention review hearing on Dec. 6, Mecham’s court-appointed defense attorney Robert Winterton asked the judge to allow his client to be released on bail. However, Allen denied the request, citing “clear and convincing evidence of danger” to the community.
The allegations represent “a significant security issue” for people throughout the southern part of the state, Allen said, ordering that both defendants continue to be held without bail.
This report is based on statements from court documents and law enforcement officials 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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