Two Cedar City men arrested on multiple drug and gun charges

By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today

Two Cedar City men have been arrested and are facing multiple felony charges following a lengthy investigation by the Iron/Garfield/Beaver Narcotics Task Force.

Mark Anthony Embry, 62, and Kenneth Lane Collins, 60, were taken into custody on charges of drug distribution and weapons possession.

According to court documents filed in 5th District Court, both men are convicted felons who have been under investigation for several months.

The third suspect named in the affidavit is a 45-year-old woman against whom formal charges have not yet been filed. This woman, also a convicted felon, is alleged to have been involved in criminal activity with Embry and Collins.

Embry was arrested on October 10, 2024 after police served a search warrant at his residence after reportedly learning that he was in possession of three firearms that he had received from Collins: a .38 caliber handgun, a .45 caliber handgun and an AR-15.

Prior to executing the warrant, officers were observing the residence when they witnessed an apparent drug transaction taking place outside. After Embry's arrest, officers discovered over 19 grams of methamphetamine and a $20 bill in his pocket, which the buyer said was the amount he paid for the drugs.

“During a post-Miranda interview, Mark informed agents that Kenneth had given him a .38 Special to trade for methamphetamine in Las Vegas,” the probable cause statement says, adding: “Mark admitted to giving in “Driving to Las Vegas and trading the pistol for 4 ounces of methamphetamine, which was later distributed throughout the Iron County metropolitan area.”

Embry also told police that Collins and the woman were in possession of multiple firearms, swords, other dangerous weapons and controlled substances.

On Oct. 23, Embry was additionally charged when investigators found text messages that suggested he was involved in additional drug sales and illegally possessing firearms. His status as a convicted felon prohibits him from owning firearms.

Collins was arrested on February 15 following a controlled drug buy in November 2023 in which an informant successfully purchased methamphetamine from him.

Task force agents later tracked down a vehicle suspected of transporting drugs for Collins. Approximately two ounces of methamphetamine was found during a traffic stop, and the driver confirmed the drugs were intended for Collins.

Subsequent searches of Collins' home uncovered additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

In that case, Collins pleaded guilty on July 2 to two counts of third-degree drug possession. Just a day before officers executed the final search warrant, he was sentenced in 5th District Court in Cedar City to 36 months of probation and a $950 fine at his home.

During the search, officers allegedly found several hypodermic needles in a drawer in Collins' bedroom. One of the needles contained a clear liquid that field tested positive for methamphetamine, the affidavit said.

They also found a sword, several large knives, homemade weapons and an imitation firearm

According to the latest affidavit, Collins admitted during questioning that he and the woman had stolen firearms from a man in Parowan who was being cared for in a hospice and either sold them or exchanged them for drugs. The couple had been hired by the man to do gardening and housekeeping.

Both Embry and Collins face multiple felony charges, including possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a restricted person. Collins is also charged with burglary of a dwelling, a second-degree felony.

Both men's prior felony convictions add to the seriousness of their current charges.

Officers requested that both men be held without bail due to their criminal and drug-related criminal histories.

“Collins' actions of stealing firearms and exchanging them for controlled substances place the community at high risk. “It is likely that he would continue these acts if released,” court documents said.