Utah man Dominic Garcia waged a six-month terror campaign against his pregnant girlfriend’s family by fabricating cartel threats, forcing them through “boot camps,” ice baths, and at-gunpoint intimidation—all to prevent them from discovering his elaborate web of lies.
Key Takeaways
- Dominic Garcia, 23, faces 28 criminal counts including kidnapping and assault after subjecting his girlfriend’s family to a fabricated cartel threat scenario for six months
- Garcia forced the family to abandon their home, endure physical “boot camps,” ice baths, and maintained control through armed threats
- The situation ended when a desperate family member called police, who arrived to find the family holding Garcia at gunpoint
- Garcia admitted creating the elaborate deception because he “feared they would not like him” if they knew the truth
- The 23-year-old is being held without bail, deemed a flight risk due to family connections in Mexico
Fabricated Cartel Threats Create Six Months of Terror
Dominic Garcia, 23, has been charged with 28 felony counts after authorities say he orchestrated an elaborate hoax to terrorize and control his pregnant girlfriend’s family for half a year. Garcia moved in with the family in December and immediately began spinning tales about his alleged family connections to a dangerous cartel. What followed was a methodical campaign of psychological manipulation and physical intimidation designed to make the family completely dependent on Garcia’s instructions, which he claimed were necessary for their survival against nonexistent cartel threats.
“Over time, Garcia created an atmosphere of fear and control, falsely creating affiliations with a dangerous cartel,” said Sgt. Aymee Race.
Complete Control Through Psychological Warfare
Garcia’s methods of control were extensive and deeply disturbing. He forced the family to flee their home for an entire month, claiming his grandfather’s business had made a “bad deal” with the cartel. Throughout their ordeal, family members were subjected to a “boot camp” regimen that included ice baths as punishment. A 17-year-old family member was prevented from attending school. Garcia constantly monitored the family’s movements and communications, carrying a handgun to reinforce his threats. Even the most basic freedoms were restricted as the family lived under a cloud of perpetual fear.
“The family has lived in constant fear of Dominic and the people Dominic has led them to believe were trying to kill them for approximately 6 months,” according to police reports.
According to police documents, “RS said Dominic repeatedly told them the cartel would kill them if they did not do what they were told.”
The Tables Turn: Family Fights Back
The family’s nightmare finally ended when one member managed to contact police, claiming they were being held against their will. When officers arrived at the Millcreek, Utah residence, they found a remarkable scene—the tables had turned, and the family was now holding Garcia at gunpoint. This dramatic confrontation marked the end of Garcia’s reign of terror and the beginning of his legal troubles. Garcia now faces multiple felony charges including seven counts of kidnapping, seven counts of assault, hazing, and making threats of violence.
“He claimed ‘his people’ were watching and any defiance could result in their deaths,” said Sgt. Aymee Race.
A Pathetic Motive Revealed
When questioned by authorities, Garcia admitted to fabricating the entire cartel scenario. His motive? He feared losing the family’s approval if they discovered his lies. “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,” police reported. This pathetically inadequate explanation stands in stark contrast to the extensive trauma inflicted on an innocent family, including his pregnant girlfriend, who felt threatened though not personally endangered by Garcia directly. This case represents a disturbing example of domestic terrorism and psychological manipulation.
The judge has ordered Garcia held without bail, considering him a flight risk due to family connections in Mexico. Even after his arrest, the family remains fearful of potential retaliation—a testament to how deeply Garcia’s psychological manipulation affected them. Authorities have declined further comment on this ongoing case as the judicial process unfolds, but the charges filed paint a clear picture of a calculated campaign of control and intimidation against innocent victims.
