Honk News (Cedar City, UT) – A 53-year-old man has been taken into custody near Cedar City following allegations of kidnapping a woman. The situation unfolded when the victim discreetly communicated her distress to a witness by passing a note requesting assistance.
On Saturday, March 8, Epigmenio Bustillos Marquez was taken into custody and charged with a first-degree felony for aggravated assault. He is also confronted with misdemeanor charges including assault, providing false information, interference with a communication device, unauthorized use of an ID, and driving a vehicle without a license or permit.
Court documents reveal that the witness trailed the pair on northbound I-15 after obtaining the note from the victim at a gas station in Cedar City. Upon reaching the scene, law enforcement stopped the vehicle and engaged in conversation with Marquez and the victim from the passenger side. Authorities indicated that the individual was exhibiting unusual behavior, leading them to request her to leave the vehicle and to ask Marquez for identification.
The victim reportedly informed officers that she and Marquez had been in a long-term relationship, but his conduct had become “erratic” lately. She had allegedly requested Marquez to drive her to work earlier that morning, but after he picked her up, he started accusing her of infidelity and instead headed towards Salt Lake or Denver.
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The victim recounted that when she requested to exit the vehicle, Marquez purportedly warned her that he wouldn’t slow down and that she would perish if she attempted to escape because of their high speed. Marquez is accused of taking the victim’s phone and, at one point, hitting the victim.
Marquez reportedly initially presented responding officers with a Durango, Mexico identification card that contained an incorrect name and birthdate. Following the officer’s request to inspect his wallet, authorities reportedly discovered an additional Mexican identification card bearing Marquez’s true name and birthdate, despite his ongoing insistence on a fabricated date of birth.
According to court documents, Marquez has been taken into custody at the Iron County Correctional Facility on the specified charges. He is to remain in custody without the option for bail until the pretrial hearing takes place.