West Valley man federally charged after allegedly robbing credit union

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — According to a recently unsealed federal complaint, a man from West Valley City has been charged after allegedly robbing Cyprus Credit Union in Utah.

The federal complaint officially charged Joseph Troy Ortega, 57, with one count of credit union robbery. It alleges that Ortega stole over $3,600 in cash from the Cyprus Credit Union in West Valley City.

According to the documents, Ortega entered the credit union on August 28, 2025, and demanded money from the teller. The teller gave him $3,690 in cash and Ortega allegedly fled in a black Toyota Rav 4.

Officers with the West Valley City Police Department (WVCPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Violent Crime Task Force responded to the credit union are conducted a joint investigation. They used facial recognition technology by the Statewide Information Analysis Center, which identified Ortega.

Later that day, a Toyota Rav 4 was observed on 5600 West and 3500 South and was stopped. Law enforcement took Ortega into custody.

Law enforcement executed a search of the vehicle and found a wallet with a large amount of U.S. currency and an envelope that contained $2,690. They also found narcotics and narcotic paraphernalia.

Ortega was charged with one count of credit union robbery, which is a federal crime. Under United States criminal code, any individual who takes property or money exceeding $1,000 in value from a bank or credit union faces up to ten years of imprisonment and/or a fine.

Today, September 15, Ortega had his initial appearance. He will be having a jury trial that is scheduled for the end of November. Notably, Ortega has previously been charged and found guilty of theft and burglary on several instances in the past.