Female finds BIA officer after ex-husband takes her phone away during a domestic disturbance
- Travis Uresk
- Oct 7, 2024
- 3 min read
By Travis Uresk
10/7/24
| Ft. Duchesne, Ut. | October 2nd, 2024 |
Uintah County Deputies responded to the report of a domestic disturbance in Uintah County. The victim approached a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Wildlife Officer and explained that her ex-husband followed her and took her phone.
Deputy O’Donnal arrived at the Fort Duchesne Justice Center, met with the victim, and asked what had happened. She explained she has been divorced from 61-year-old Jay Frank Ross for nearly two years.
The victim stated that Jay had stayed the night because of the issues he is having with a house he is in the process of buying in Manila, Utah. The victim said she received a text message today from a male she had been talking to. She said Jay saw the message and got upset, which caused him to become belligerent.
The victim explained she asked him several times to leave the residence, but he refused. Jay then kicked the victim in the inner thigh of her left leg, causing no injuries.
The victim stated she attempted to leave to DE-escalate the situation, but as she did this, the victim said she was followed by Jay and told him she was going to call the police to get him to leave.
The victim stated she began to pull her phone out to call 911 when Jay Ross snatched it from her hands, preventing her from calling. She stated that after Jay had taken the phone, he went back inside her house, and she left to seek emergency services.
After Deputy O'Donnal spoke with the victim at the Fort Duchesne Justice Center, he traveled to the victim's residence to locate Jay. The victim showed up and confirmed that his vehicle was not there. The victim searched for her phone inside the residence but was unable to find it.
The victim contacted Jay on a separate cell phone and identified the male on the phone as Jay Ross. She asked where her phone was, and Jay stated he didn’t know. The victim told Jay he knew where it was and again asked where it was. Jay responded by saying, " I got it with me."
The victim asked Jay why he took the phone. Jay responded by saying she could get on her computer and talk to her friend. Jay then hung up.
On October 3, 2024, the Daggett County Sheriff's Office located Jay and detained him. Deputy O'Donnal met with Jay and read him his Miranda Rights, in which he agreed to speak with the deputy.
Jay admitted to being over at the victim's house and attempting to kick the victim but stated he didn't kick her but kicked towards her to insight fear into the victim. Jay also admitted to taking the victim's phone when she attempted to contact 911 services.
Based on the affirmation of Deputy O'Donnal, the arresting officer, the undersigned magistrate finds that probable cause existed for the arrest without a warrant of Jay Ross. Jay Ross may post bail in the amount of $1,770.00.
Jay Ross was arrested for:
Assault - Domestic Violence for having attempted with unlawful force to inflict bodily injury on the victim by having tried to kick the victim in her leg, a Class B Misdemeanor.
Interruption to a Communication Device—Prohibiting or interrupting another person's use of a communication device when the other person is attempting to summon emergency aid is a Class B Misdemeanor.
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