Utah

Utah man kidnaps family for 6 months, lying they needed protection from 'cartel,' police say

Published

12 months ago

May 19, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah man accused of holding his girlfriend and her family in their home for six months on a lie that “cartel” members were after them has been arrested.

Dominic Garcia, 23, faces 28 counts, including seven each of kidnapping and assault, after his arrest Saturday. He remained held Monday in the Salt Lake County jail, NBC News reported.

He allegedly told police he lied to the family about needing to protect them from a nonexistent “cartel,” according to the police affidavit.

“Dominic said that he continued this lie for several months because he did not know how to stop it in fear that they would not like him,” the affidavit reads.

He had no attorney listed to speak on his behalf.

Garcia moved in with the family of seven in the Salt Lake City suburb of Millcreek in December. Soon after, he allegedly told them his own family had business ties to a cartel and the family needed to protect themselves.

Garcia allegedly began carrying a handgun and repeatedly told family members the cartel would kill them if they did not do as he told.

Other family members allegedly told police Garcia, at times, kept them from leaving the house for more than short periods.

Police went to the house after getting a call from someone inside, according to the affidavit.

“The complainant reported they weren’t able to take it any longer, and they were holding Dominic at gunpoint until police arrived,” the affidavit states. “Officers arrived and took Dominic into custody without incident.”

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Utah

Utah Royals win their club-record fourth straight game

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Press Room

Utah Royals win their club-record fourth straight game

Cloé Lacasse scores for second straight week, and Royals notch third straight shutout.

Utah Royals forward Cloé Lacasse celebrates her goal against the Seattle Reign FC during an NWSL soccer match on April 26, 2026, in Seattle. Lacasse also scored in the Royals’ win over Angel City FC on Saturday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

The Utah Royals beat Angel City FC 1-0 on Saturday in Los Angeles for their club-record fourth straight win.

The victory put the Royals (4-2-1) in fourth place in the National Women’s Soccer League. Los Angeles (3-3-0) sits in eighth place.

Utah’s Cloé Lacasse scored in the 33rd minute off an assist from Paige Cronin, who took the ball down the right side of the field and crossed over to the Canadian. Lacasse headed it just inside the post to give Utah the 1-0 lead. She scored for the second straight game, having notched a goal in a 3-0 win over the Seattle Reign FC on April 26

The Royals earned their third straight shutout, as goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn made her first start of the season and had four saves. McGlynn suffered an injury early in the season but replaced Mia Justus late in last week’s win over the Seattle Reign.

Utah Royals FC will return home to host the Houston Dash on Wednesday, May 6 (8 p.m., KMYU and CBSSN), at America First Field in Sandy.

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Utah

POST-GAME: Mikhail Sergachev 5.1.26 | Utah Mammoth

Published

14 hours ago

May 2, 2026

Press Room

POST-GAME: Mikhail Sergachev 5.1.26 | Utah Mammoth

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Utah animal shelter struggling to care for nearly 300 animals amid soaring costs

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2026

Press Room

Utah animal shelter struggling to care for nearly 300 animals amid soaring costs

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah (KUTV) — What started as a small rescue effort six years ago has turned into a thriving animal sanctuary in Eagle Mountain.

Haven Ranch is home to nearly 300 animals. Due to soaring costs and a drop in donations, the facility has been struggling to stay afloat.

ARC Salt Lake spoke to executive director David Curneal about the financial strain forcing the sanctuary to make difficult choices just to keep caring for hundreds of animals.

MORE | ARC Salt Lake:

What started as a small rescue effort six years ago has turned into a thriving animal sanctuary in Eagle Mountain. Haven Ranch is home to nearly 300 animals. Due to soaring costs and a drop in donations, the facility has been struggling to stay afloat. (KUTV)

Curneal said the sanctuary had 37 animal sponsors this time last year — that number has now dropped to just 12 as both families and businesses cut back on charitable giving.

He said Haven Ranch has depleted retirement savings to continue operating and is no longer accepting new animals because resources are too limited, even during one of the busiest times of year for rescue calls.

The sanctuary is now working to find homes for some animals, including birds, while Curneal said Haven Ranch is far from alone, noting other sanctuaries are also facing mounting financial pressure.

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