A Utah man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of kidnapping, assault, and theft following an incident involving two motorcyclists in Tooele County. The indictment alleges that Russell Allen, 50, along with another individual, assaulted the motorcyclists after they inadvertently entered the Skull Valley Indian Reservation.
Court documents detail that on April 26, 2025, Allen and his accomplice allegedly confronted the riders for trespassing. The victims were reportedly forced to lie facedown, zip-tied, kicked, and threatened with a knife. Their motorcycles and other belongings were confiscated under the pretense of impoundment for trespassing. Although law enforcement later found the motorcycles in a maintenance shed on Skull Valley Indian Reservation Road, many personal items such as camera equipment and cash were not recovered.
The victims were then transported at high speed to a remote desert location where they were released without their possessions. They had to walk over ten miles to seek assistance from Dugway gate guards, which took approximately six or seven hours.
Allen's initial court appearance is scheduled for May 7, 2025, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City.
Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti announced the indictment. The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force is leading the investigation with Assistant United States Attorney Sam Pead prosecuting the case.
"An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."