By Travis Uresk
3/27/24
Ballard, Ut. — On the early morning of March 16th, 2024, just after 2:00 am, Uintah County Deputies were dispatched to a disorderly conduct where the complainant called 911 stating that his intoxicated brother showed up and was trying to start a fight with their dad.
As deputies were responding to the scene, dispatch advised that the suspect, 25-year-old Johnny Dean Eckert, had two warrants out of Uintah County Justice Court.
This was known due to an incident a couple of hours earlier from Roosevelt City Police, where Johnny is a current resident.
When Deputy Jones arrived at the Ballard residence, a male subject was entering the home from a side door. The male was ordered to step out of the residence, where several subjects were already in the doorway, appearing to try to keep the male suspect out.
Johnny was arrested for the warrants and secured in the back of a patrol vehicle.
During the investigation, it was found, according to witnesses and Johnny's statements, that there was a disorderly issue at Johnny's residence in Roosevelt. Johnny arrived at the residence in Ballard and was told several times to leave, at which point he got into his brother's face and said something to the effect that he would have to force him out of the home. Johnny then grabbed at his brother's necklace, ripping it off his neck, and then the younger sister called 911.
Johnny's brother stated that Johnny had drunk a whole bottle of liquor just before the incident happened.
Under Miranda, Johnny stated he verbally argued with his brother, but nothing physical happened between them.
Johnny Eckert was arrested and booked into the Uintah County Jail for assault domestic violence.
