Man faces 28 charges for six-month hostage scheme using fabricated cartel claims

A harrowing incident unfolded in Utah as a man named Dominic Garcia is accused of holding his pregnant girlfriend and her family hostage in their own home for a staggering six months. The shocking revelation came to light when one of the captives managed to contact the authorities, expressing their dire situation and pleading for help.

Garcia, 23, was taken into custody on Saturday and is facing a total of 28 charges, the majority of which are felonies. Among the charges are seven counts each of kidnapping and assault, as reported by The Associated Press. The alleged ordeal began when Garcia moved in with the family in December and proceeded to fabricate a chilling narrative involving a dangerous cartel that was supposedly pursuing them.

Sergeant Aymee Race of the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake described how Garcia instilled fear and control over the family by falsely claiming connections to a cartel and threatening dire consequences if they did not comply with his demands. He even went as far as brandishing a handgun and repeatedly warning the family members that disobeying him would lead to their demise at the hands of the cartel.

Furthermore, Garcia coerced the family into leaving their home for a month under the guise of evading the cartel due to a supposed failed deal. Upon their return, tensions escalated when a family member sent a text message to a friend detailing their whereabouts, prompting Garcia to react violently and assert his dominance over the hostages.

The manipulation and abuse did not end there, as Garcia allegedly monitored the family’s communication, restricted their movements, and subjected them to grueling physical exercises resembling a boot camp. The hostages were forced to endure intense workout sessions, ice baths, and facial submersion to the point of suffocation, leaving them in a state of perpetual terror and subservience.

Despite the distressing nature of the situation, Garcia reportedly confessed to perpetuating the elaborate ruse out of fear of losing the family’s approval. As of now, he remains in custody without bail, awaiting further legal proceedings.

The gravity of the accusations against Garcia underscores the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of domestic abuse and manipulation. The swift action taken by law enforcement in rescuing the hostages serves as a reminder of the crucial role authorities play in safeguarding vulnerable individuals from harm and exploitation.

For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to Fox News Digital for the latest updates and insights.

(This article was written based on the original report by The Associated Press and KSTU. Kyle Schmidbauer is a production assistant for Fox News Digital and a graduate of Montclair State University.)