UINTAH COUNTY, Utah — A 49-year-old man is facing felony charges after authorities say he illegally excavated and sold dirt from another person’s property, causing thousands of dollars in damage.
Jeremy Merrell has been charged with second-degree felony theft after allegedly using construction equipment to haul away large amounts of dirt between September and October 2024, according to recently filed court documents.
Officials claim Merrell carried out the dirt removal under the pretense of making repairs or improvements to the property. However, investigators say he never had permission from the landowner and instead removed about 33 dump truck loads — roughly 435 cubic yards — from a hillside.
Authorities allege Merrell sold the dirt to others for use in driveway grading projects. The dirt itself was valued at approximately $6,600, but officials estimate that the total cost to restore the affected hillside will reach $10,800.
Court filings do not reveal where the property was located or how many individuals received the dirt. The Uintah County Attorney’s Office filed the charge on April 1, 2025, after receiving a report from the Uintah County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains ongoing .
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