LOGAN — A 34-year-old Logan man has been arrested and charged with allegedly assaulting a woman during a dispute, according to law enforcement. Ruben Zane Johnson was booked Sunday into the Cache County Jail, where he is temporarily being held without bail.
According to an arrest affidavit, Logan City Police officers were called to an apartment in downtown Logan on report of a domestic dispute, Friday afternoon. Neighbors had reported hearing screaming coming from the residence.
The alleged victim told police, Johnson had allegedly tried to strangle her multiple times, pulled her hair and used a machete to threaten to kill her. He also blocked her from leaving the apartment, locking the door and threatening her with other knives.
The woman was transported to the hospital to be evaluated by medical staff.
Officers attempted to contact Johnson, who barricaded himself inside the apartment. They attempted to negotiate with him but were unsuccessful and left, the probable cause statement detailed.
On Sunday, police contacted Johnson and took him into custody. During questioning, he reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol on the date of the incident. He also claimed to remember putting both hands around the alleged victim’s neck and threatening her with a knife.
Johnson was arraigned during a virtual hearing Monday afternoon in 1st District Court in Logan. He was charged with aggravated kidnapping and forcible sodimy, a first-degree felony; aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, a second-degree felony; two counts of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; assault, a class A misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, an infraction.
Prosecutors requested Johnson be held without bail. They said the charges were serious and the suspect posed a threat to himself and the alleged victim.
Defense attorney Michael McGinnis asked for the chance to argue bail at a later time, after he reviews the case.
Johnson was ordered to remain in jail and appear again in court Wednesday. He could face up to life in prison, if convicted.
If you or someone you know is going through abuse, help is available. CAPSA is a nonprofit domestic violence, sexual assault and sex trafficking support center serving Cache, Rich, and Franklin Counties. CAPSA’s 24-hour support phone line is 435-753-2500. For more information visit: www.capsa.org.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.