Man charged with 28 counts for six-month hostage plot involving false cartel allegations

Utah Man Accused of Holding Pregnant Girlfriend and Family Hostage

A 23-year-old man from Utah is facing serious accusations for allegedly holding his pregnant girlfriend and her family captive in their home for six months. He purportedly misled them into believing that members of a “cartel” were pursuing them.

Dominique Garcia was arrested on Saturday, facing 28 charges, with many classified as felonies. Reports indicate that he is accused of attempted assault among other serious offenses.

The situation escalated when members of the family contacted the police, claiming they were being held against their will. They expressed that they “couldn’t take it anymore,” as reported by KSTU, a local affiliate of Fox News based in Salt Lake City.

When the police arrived, they discovered that Garcia was indeed holding the family at gunpoint, leading to his immediate arrest.

According to reports, Garcia moved in with his family in December and soon began insisting that they were connected to the cartel. He allegedly threatened his housemate, claiming that to remain safe, they needed to follow his instructions regarding the supposed cartel.

As time went on, Garcia created a climate of fear and control, falsely portraying a relationship with the dangerous cartel. He allegedly told his family that “his people” were watching them and that any defiance could result in death.

Garcia began carrying firearms around the home, repeatedly warning his family that if they didn’t comply with his demands, they would face severe consequences from the cartel.

Moreover, he is accused of forcing a suspicious family member out of the house and pretending to negotiate a bad deal with the cartel. When that family member texted friends about their situation, Garcia reportedly reacted violently, claiming that he would harm one of his hostages if they were discovered.

The police affidavit reveals that Garcia imposed strict control over the family’s communications, scrutinizing their messages and regulating who could leave the house. He allegedly imposed rigorous physical training on them, subjecting them to extreme measures, such as ice baths, which left family members gasping for air.

It seems Garcia maintained this elaborate deception for several months, largely because he was unsure how to end it, fearing the repercussions he might face.