LOGAN — A 40-year-old Logan man accused of choking his girlfriend, speeding at over 100 mph, and swimming through Benson Marina while holding a firearm to evade law enforcement pleaded guilty last week to reduced domestic violence charges.
Antonio Zarco-Orozco, who was initially identified by authorities under the alias Benigno Queredo-Centreros, entered guilty pleas Sept. 28 in Logan’s 1st District Court to third-degree felony counts of theft, aggravated assault, and domestic violence in the presence of a child, as well as a class A misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an accident. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dismissed nine remaining charges, including first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping, second-degree felony vehicle theft, and multiple misdemeanor traffic offenses.
According to charging documents, the case began the morning of July 13 when officers responded to a domestic violence call at the Logan home Zarco-Orozco shared with his girlfriend of 10 years. During a heated argument, Zarco-Orozco grabbed the woman by her wrists, shoved her into a bookshelf, and placed her in a forearm chokehold. The victim told police she was unable to breathe for at least 20 seconds while he forced her head into his chest.
When the woman used her smartphone assistant to call 911, Zarco-Orozco snatched the device and canceled the call. She redialed moments later, and dispatchers recorded the couple arguing in the background before Zarco-Orozco fled the home in his girlfriend’s pickup truck without her consent. Investigators noted he lacked a valid driver’s license and had previous citations for driving without one.
A Utah Highway Patrol trooper subsequently spotted the pickup traveling 107 mph along State Route 30. Due to the extreme speed, the trooper deemed a high-speed pursuit unsafe. Shortly after, Zarco-Orozco struck another vehicle at the 3200 West intersection, causing minor injuries to two occupants, and fled the scene.
Authorities discovered the abandoned truck near 2600 North and 4200 West, where witnesses reported seeing Zarco-Orozco running toward the Benson Marina while carrying a long-barreled gun. Investigators believe he swam across the marina to reach a nearby road before SWAT officers and a police helicopter established a perimeter.
Following a weeklong search, Logan police apprehended Zarco-Orozco without incident in Tremonton after receiving a tip regarding his whereabouts. Authorities subsequently uncovered his true identity and noted a criminal history including prior assault and domestic violence convictions in 2005 and 2009.
While the plea agreement contains no stipulated sentence, defense attorneys requested credit for time served. Zarco-Orozco remains in the Cache County Jail and is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 9.