Washington City house condemned after 27 people found living in unsafe, unsanitary conditions

WASHINGTON CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Washington City has condemned a house after police said they found 27 people living inside the residence in unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

According to the Washington City Police Department, officers were investigating a residence at 102 West and 200 South in Washington City for unsafe conditions and criminal violations. Police had prior information that residents in the home may have illegal narcotics and fraudulent documentation.

In a press release, the police department says that they “became aware of unsafe and unsanitary living conditions inside the home due to multiple unpermitted remodels, additions, and the number of occupants living inside the home.”

The police department went to the scene alongside the United States Marshals Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations, and other state and local agencies.

A search warrant was obtained and served at 4:30 a.m. this morning, May 14. Police were able to locate multiple suspects possessing fraudulent identity documents and illegal narcotics. In total, 27 people were living in the single-family residence.

Of those 27, three were children under the age of 12, according to police.

“Some rooms had exposed panels/wires, no windows for bedrooms, kitchens in many small rooms built in as bedrooms and many other alarming items,” Washington City Police said in the release.

Officers also found what appeared to be another attempt at an expansion in the basement, where footings were exposed and dirt was being removed. There were no permits for any of the additions or work that was done on the home.

Two adult males were arrested for multiple counts of possession of fraudulent identity documents. One adult female was arrested for possession of narcotics and statewide warrants. Another adult male was arrested for possessing a fraudulent identity document.

The Washington City Police Department said that multiple other individuals at the home were detained by ICE due to their immigration status. Additionally, several individuals were released at the scene.

An assessment was performed on the house by the Washington City Building Inspector and Washington City Code Enforcement. They deemed the house “unsafe and unsanitary for occupancy.” The house has been condemned, and Washington City staff are monitoring what will happen next with the house.