Suspected drug dealer tied to human trafficking case faces rape charge
Jan 7, 2023, 10:27 AM
FILE: In the aftermath of a number of serious accidents, West Valley City police and UDOT launched a new campaign this week called "Stop on Red." (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A man originally charged with trying to help another man cover up his dealings in human trafficking is now accused of also engaging in illegal sexual conduct with the victim.
The investigation began in October when Angelo Paul Sisneros, 38, was arrested and charged with aggravated human trafficking, aggravated exploitation of prostitution involving a child, rape, forcible sodomy and drug possession. He is accused of being in a “relationship” with a girl starting when she was either 15 or 16 and later making her engage in sexual activity with others in exchange for drugs or information to help them commit identity fraud, according to charging documents.
After his arrest and while in jail, Sisneros allegedly contacted Charley Monroe West and asked him to erase potential evidence from social media accounts and to also contact the girl’s mother, apparently in an effort to influence the girl’s testimony, the charges allege.
Both Sisneros and West are charged in that case with obstruction of justice and conspiracy to commit witness tampering.
Now, investigators say West, 39, was also involved in illegal sexual activity with the girl. He was charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with rape and drug distribution, first-degree felonies; two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony; and aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.
The girl told police that West is a drug dealer and kept large amounts of methamphetamine in the trailer he was living in near 1100 West and 500 North, the charges state.
“West sold methamphetamine to almost everyone, including her, and that on one occasion, she was able to hold a quarter pound of methamphetamine in her hand,” according to the charges.
The girl said she often stayed with West because she didn’t have anywhere else to go, and that he “would guilt trip or pressure her into having sexual intercourse with him. (She) said that when she had intercourse with West, it was out of necessity and not a romantic thing,” the charges state.
Investigators also reported finding explicit pictures of the girl on West’s phone. The assault charge stems from a time West allegedly hit the girl in the shoulder with a hammer.
