After a ranch hand gets fired, he refuses to leave the property and then tries to fight with multiple people

By Travis Uresk

4-4-25

| Lapoint, Ut. | March 24th, 2025 |

A Uintah County Deputy responded to a call from a male complainant who reported that a ranch hand, 50-year-old Juan Carlos Lopez, had been fired and was now wanting to fight with multiple people.

Deputy Russell arrived at the ranch in Lapoint and met with the male complainant, who stated the owner of the ranch had fired Juan, asked him to leave the property, and was trying to start a fight.

The deputy spoke with the ranch owner while waiting for backup to arrive. She stated that Juan has been showing up late for work and acting "off" lately. When he showed up late today, the owner told him he was fired and needed to leave the property.

The female complainant told the deputy that Juan got upset and confronted her and a man who was shoeing horses. She told the deputy she wanted Juan removed from the property and trespassed.

Deputy Russell spoke with Juan and explained that the owner didn't want him on the property any longer and that he was being trespassed from the ranch. Juan was instructed to grab his belongings, load them into his truck, and leave, but Juan refused, continued to argue, and wanted to talk to the owner.

Juan was repeatedly told that he could gather his belongings and leave, or he would end up in jail for disorderly conduct. Juan continued to refuse to leave the property, so Deputy Pratt and Deputy Russell grabbed his arms to take him into custody. He began to tense up, resist, and refuse to place his hands behind his back, but he was eventually taken into custody.

Deputy Russell then spoke with the male complainant again to gather more information. He stated that Juan confronted him and the female complainant after she told Juan that he needed to leave.

The male complainant said Juan had gotten in his face, rambling incoherently, and he felt intimidated. He said he did have a metal file in his hand, but he never raised it while interacting with Juan. The complainant stated that Juan eventually walked away and confronted the female complainant again.

The deputy spoke with the owner again, who stated that she believed that Juan was under the influence of something because he didn't seem normal. She told Juan to leave multiple times, but he refused and continued to follow her around. The female complainant stated Juan was still yelling at her when they were near the horse trailer, and she became afraid for her life, so she pulled out her gun, pointed it at Juan, and told him to leave. Juan walked away, still refusing to leave the property.

Juan Lopez was arrested for trying to fight and confront multiple people at the ranch and for refusing to leave the property after being asked by the owner and law enforcement. Juan was booked into the Uintah County Jail for disorderly conduct and interfering with a peace officer.

Juan Carlos Lopez may post bail in the amount of $1,040.00

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