Utah Man Charged with Holding Pregnant Girlfriend and Family Hostage for Months Using Fake Cartel Threats

Utah Man Charged with Hostage Situation Built on False Cartel Claims

A man from Utah faces multiple charges after allegedly holding his pregnant girlfriend and her family hostage for several months, claiming that cartel members were pursuing them.

Dominic Garcia, aged 23, was arrested on Saturday and now faces 28 charges, most of which are serious felonies. Among these charges are seven counts of both kidnapping and assault.

Hostage Situation Unfolds

The troubling events reportedly began when one of the victims managed to call the police, stating that they were being held against their will and could no longer endure the situation. This information was first reported by KSTU, a Fox affiliate based in Salt Lake City.

When the police arrived, they discovered several family members were holding Garcia at gunpoint. Authorities quickly took him into custody.

The Web of Lies

Sources indicate that Garcia moved in with the family in December. Shortly thereafter, he allegedly fabricated a story about his own family having connections to a cartel, coercing his housemates to comply with his demands to keep themselves safe.

Sgt. Aymee Race from the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake remarked, “Over time, Garcia cultivated a climate of fear and manipulation by creating false ties to a perilous cartel.”

Garcia was said to have claimed that his “people” were monitoring their every move, insisting that any acts of defiance could lead to violence or death.

Threats and Control Measures

According to reports, Garcia frequently brandished a handgun within the home, repeatedly threatening the family that the cartel would execute them unless they complied with his orders.

The situation escalated as he allegedly forced the family out of their home for a month, under the guise that they needed to flee due to a disastrous deal made by his own family with the cartel.

Desperate Plea for Help

Upon their return, a family member sent a message to a friend explaining their absence. Upon noticing this, Garcia reportedly erupted in anger, asserting that he had included one of the hostages “in the company” and ominously threatening to kill them should they disobey him.

Several family members have accused Garcia of scrutinizing their phones, confronting them over texts he deemed unacceptable, and imposing strict limitations on their movement outside the home. Witnesses described a “boot camp” atmosphere created by Garcia, which involved rigorous physical workouts, ice baths, and extreme facial submersion, at times leaving some unable to breathe.

Garcia’s Mental State Under Scrutiny

As of Monday, Garcia remains in custody without bail. An affidavit from the police reveals that he maintained this elaborate deception for months, expressing fear over how to extricate himself from the situation, fearing that the family would disapprove of him.

Sgt. Race declined to offer further comments regarding the details of the ongoing investigation when contacted.

Public Safety and Implications

The case underscores serious concerns regarding domestic abuse and psychological manipulation. Experts emphasize the importance of recognizing signs of manipulation and fear-based control in relationships.

As investigations continue, community members are urged to remain vigilant and report any unusual or concerning behavior, particularly when it involves mental coercion or threats of violence.

Contributions to this report came from various news sources.