This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A man under investigation for a deadly Sugar House shooting has been charged with drug and weapon offenses.
Jeremiah Ray Hart, 42, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person and possession or use of a controlled substance, which are second- and third-degree felonies, respectively. He was also charged with possession or use of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.
Hart has not been charged in the Jan. 24 death of Christian Lance McDonald.
McDonald, 24, was found lying in the street near 1224 E. Parkway Avenue (2400 South), with a gunshot wound.
McDonald was taken to the hospital and later died. Jeremiah Hart also went to the hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound, where he contacted police.
He was later released.
On Feb. 19, a Salt Lake City officer pulled Hart over at 6070 W. 3500 South. Hart was arrested under suspicion of killing McDonald.
When the officer searched Hart, he allegedly found a glass pipe, which had a clear crystal-type substance inside. The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the drug and weapon charges.
Officers searched the vehicle and also allegedly found a pistol in the glove box. Hart is a convicted felon and was on parole at the time of his February arrest.
Hart was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, aggravated robbery, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later returned to the Utah State Prison on a parole violation.
Investigators suspect that Hart allegedly robbed McDonald, and they allegedly shot each other. Police say the two men were acquaintances.
Hart was convicted in 1996 on felony drug-related charges. He was also convicted in the 1990s on several misdemeanors, including criminal trespass, gambling and assault, according to Utah court records.
In 2003, Hart was sentenced to federal prison for six and a half years, plus four years probation, after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court to a gang-related racketeering charge.
Hart and nine other alleged members of the King Mafia Disciples were accused of selling drugs and committing robberies, arson and murder, according to court documents.
In January 2011, Hart was ordered to spend an additional 30 months in federal prison for violating his parole, according to court records.
Hart's wife, 22-year-old Daisy Hart, was arrested on suspicion of obstruction of justice in the shooting case for allegedly giving false information to police, but has not been formally charged.
Daisy Hart has no criminal record, according to a search of Utah court records.
Utah court records also show that McDonald had no prior criminal record aside from a half-dozen traffic citations.
No court dates have been scheduled for Jeremiah Hart regarding the new drug and weapon charges.
Twitter: @MikeyPanda