MILLCREEK — Following the shocking weekend arrest of a man accused of holding a Millcreek family of seven hostage for about six months, police said Monday there is still a lot of investigating to do.
Dominic Christopher Garcia, 23, was arrested Saturday for investigation of seven counts each of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, making threats of violence and hazing involving use of a dangerous weapon.
A husband, wife, and their five children — one of whom police say is a “juvenile” — were controlled by Garcia, who “created an atmosphere of fear” by claiming he was affiliated with a dangerous cartel that would harm them if they did not do what he told them, according to Unified police.
Garcia started dating one of the couple’s adult daughters in November. But soon after moving in with the family in early 2025, Garcia started telling the family they could not leave the residence without his permission, and he typically allowed them to leave the home for only two hours each day, or risk retaliation from “his people” — cartel members whom he claimed were always watching, said Unified Police Sgt. Aymee Race.
On Monday, police were asked how one man could hold so much influence over seven people for that long and whether anyone ever tried to seek help.
“Those are questions we’re still going to be investigating. A lot of interviews have to be done with some of these family members,” Race said. “I think, for everyone, coercion is different. I can’t speak for this family in particular, I think that will come through in the interview process. But coercion can work for different people in different capacities.”
Questions about whether neighbors noticed anything unusual, whether any of the adults were missing from their jobs or if the child missed school, were all part of the ongoing investigation, Race said.
Police believe Garcia maintained control over his victims by, in part, being armed at all times or having a weapon within his reach. He is also accused of taking the entire family on a monthlong road trip across Utah, spending a lot of time in southern Utah and forcing a family member to buy a gun for him, according to police.
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Garcia also allegedly confiscated the family’s phones and is accused of abusing family members by putting one victim’s head in a bowl full of ice as a form of punishment, making another “stand watch nightly” until 5 a.m., and forcing one family member into a “rigorous boot camp” of daily workouts, Race said.
On Saturday, after one family member told police “they weren’t able to take it any longer,” they somehow overpowered Garcia and held him at gunpoint until police arrived. Details about how the family took control of the situation have not been released.
No information has been released about the age range of family members. Investigators say as of Monday there is no evidence to show that Garcia was affiliated with a cartel.
Race said detectives will likely give the family a couple of days and then interview them again when they are ready to talk.
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