South Jordan Police Officer Accused Of Kidnapping Uncle On Thanksgiving

A South Jordan police officer is accused of kidnapping his uncle on Thanksgiving.

The incident started when Scott Elliott Russell asked his uncle to take a ride in his new Jeep before dinner at a family member's home, according to court documents.

Russell drove "recklessly and erratically" by running red lights and using the bus-only lane. The uncle asked Russell to return home and then tried to call 911, but Russell said no.

“Russell told the uncle that Russell disabled the phone because Russell believed the uncle was recording him,” according to court documents.

Russell drove south on Interstate 15 and exited the freeway near the Sevier River Estates. He then rolled the Jeep off an embankment and into a stream. Both men managed to get out of the vehicle, and the uncle was forced to take off his shoes, remove his wallet, and lay on the ground.

“At that point, the uncle believed that Russell was going to kill him. Russell then told the uncle to get up and walk. They both walked to an abandoned outbuilding. Russell ordered the uncle to stay at that building and then Russell walked away,” court documents state.

At some point, Russell tossed a gun he kept in an ankle holster and its ammo into the bushes. Russell called 911 to report the Jeep rolling over, but didn't tell police about his uncle, the gun, or anything else that happened.

Meanwhile the uncle managed to walk towards I-15 and flag down a passing driver. The uncle was taken to Utah Valley Hospital, where he contacted police.

An affidavit says that police had a difficult time following Russell's explanation of events when questioned. Russell said he was being "set up" and "watched by an unknown organization."

Russell was charged with seven felony counts, including aggravated kidnapping, and is being held without bail at the Juab County jail, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.

Russell was not on duty when the incident happened. He has spent 15 years with the South Jordan Police Department and is currently on administrative leave, according to the Desert News.

Photo: Getty Images