SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING AND MULTIPLE OTHER CHARGES
By: Sachet A. Sullivan
Epigmenio Bustillos Marquez, 53, was arrested Saturday evening on charges of aggravated kidnapping and several other offenses after a bystander at a local travel plaza received a handwritten note from a woman indicating she was in trouble.
AGGRAVATED KIDNAPPING
According to court documents filed in 5th District Court the incident began when the victim, who was reportedly in a 25-year relationship with Marquez, handed a handwritten note to a bystander at the Cedar Band Travel Plaza outside Cedar City. The note indicated the woman was in trouble and needed help.
The bystander reportedly saw the woman get into a white Chevrolet Equinox with Nevada plates and followed the vehicle as it headed northbound on Interstate 15 (I-15), keeping law enforcement updated along the way.
Deputies with the Iron County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) located the vehicle near mile marker 60 and initiated a traffic stop. After stopping, law enforcement reportedly found the victim distressed and removed her from the vehicle.
During questioning, the woman told deputies that she had asked Marquez for a ride to work that morning. When Marquez picked her up around 10 a.m., he allegedly began accusing her of cheating. Instead of taking her to work, Marquez allegedly began driving toward Salt Lake City or Denver.
At one point, the victim reportedly asked to exit the vehicle, but Marquez refused, telling her she would be killed if she tried, due to the speed he was traveling. Marquez also allegedly took her phone, preventing her from calling for help.
The victim further claimed that during the drive, Marquez reportedly struck her in the mouth with the back of his hand, causing significant pain to her face and jaw.
Court documents don’t specify where the incident initially began, but the Nevada plates on the vehicle suggest the couple may have been living in Nevada.
FALSE INFORMATION & IDENTIFICATION TO POLICE
According to the affidavit, when law enforcement asked Marquez for his identification, he provided an ID card from Durango, Mexico, which contained a false name and date of birth.
While speaking with law enforcement, the victim reportedly told officers that Marquez had his real identification in his wallet. After Marquez consented, authorities searched his wallet and found an ID card with his true name and date of birth.
Despite law enforcement confirming his identity through fingerprints, Marquez allegedly continued to provide a false birthdate and other false information to police.
In requesting that Marquez be held without bail, authorities noted that he may be in the U.S. illegally.
The victim reportedly told deputies that Marquez had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border multiple times and could potentially flee to avoid prosecution.
Authorities also expressed concerns that Marquez might retaliate against the victim.
Marquez was booked into the Iron County Jail on multiple charges including one first-degree felony for aggravated kidnapping, one class A misdemeanor for prohibited use of an identification card, three class B misdemeanors for assault, damaging a communication device and operating without a license. Marquez also faces one class C misdemeanor for providing false information to a police officer.
INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THIS PAGE HAVE BEEN BOOKED INTO IRON COUNTY JAIL AND ARE ACCUSED OF THE FOLLOWING CRIMES BUT ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
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