Central Utah man accused of assaulting ex, threatening police

CENTERFIELD, Sanpete County — A central Utah man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting his ex-girlfriend and threatening to shoot law enforcement officers because the woman broke up with him.

Kaleb Justin Peterson, 25, was booked into the Sanpete County Jail on Sunday for investigation of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault causing a loss of consciousness, obstruction of justice, being a restricted person in possession of a gun, making a threat of violence, public intoxication, marijuana possession and not allowing his ex to use her phone.

The alleged series of events began Saturday when police found a woman "covered in blood and very distraught. It was very clear that the victim had been involved in a violent physical altercation," a police booking affidavit states. Officers say she "had substantial contusions around her neck where it appeared as if someone had aggressively grabbed her neck/throat area" and "also suffered from two black eyes."

The woman told police she was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend, Peterson, the affidavit states. She said she had broken up with him and told him to move out of her home, according to the affidavit. The woman said she then agreed to help him move items in his Centerfield home.

But while there, Peterson "started becoming aggressive towards her" and then "became very upset" after he took her phone and found messages between her and another man, according to the affidavit. Peterson then allegedly assaulted the woman, including "picking her head up and slamming it down onto the hardwood floor."

"The victim stated that she could not remember a lot of the incident as she had lost consciousness," according to the affidavit.

After she regained consciousness, "the victim stated that she ran to the first house that she saw that had a porch light on." A girl answered the door and helped the woman and called 911.

As police investigated the case, they learned that Peterson made multiple comments about having "a shootout with law enforcement," the affidavit states. As a result, an officer initially attempted to contact Peterson by calling him.

But Peterson "made a comment stating that I would never find him. An attempt to locate was issued for Kaleb for Sanpete, Sevier and Juab counties," police stated.

On Sunday, it was learned that Peterson had barricaded himself in his home, was armed and had allegedly told a family member that "he rigged up the house with explosives and said that the first one to walk through the door would die with him," according to the affidavit.

The Utah Department of Corrections SWAT team was called to assist with the arrest.

After multiple attempts to get Peterson to surrender, he agreed to exit the home to speak with a family member.

"As Kaleb exited the residence and saw law enforcement, he became hostile and began to physically resist as officers attempted to place him in hand restraints. Kaleb began spitting at officers and initially attempted to assault officers. It should be mentioned that Kaleb was highly intoxicated and had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath," the affidavit states.

At least three firearms and marijuana were found inside the home.

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