Man Released From Jail Early Arrested On Kidnapping Charges

AMERICAN FORK, Utah – A Utah County man was arrested on kidnapping charges just days after his early release from a halfway house due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

Officials with the American Fork Police Department said 42-year-old Joshua J. Haskell broke into a home on March 19.

A woman inside the home told police she woke up after she heard the stairs squeaking as Haskell allegedly made his way into her bedroom.

She saw Haskell standing in the doorway and started to scream.

According to the probable cause statement, “the male told her to be quiet or he was going to cut her head off.”

Haskell left the room briefly, the woman said, and while he was out, she told police she grabbed her phone and tried to call 911, but Haskell returned and stopped the call.

Emergency dispatchers sent police to the address after the call was dropped.

The documents said Haskell then tied her wrists and ankles with black shoelaces.

As police arrived, the woman told Haskell he could leave through a window. She told police Haskell refused.

The documents said Haskell got into bed with the victim, and told her to tell police the two were in a relationship.

When Haskell pulled the sheets over his head, the victim ran outside to police. Her juvenile son who was in another room also ran outside.

Officers searched Haskell after his arrest and said they found a dirty needle.

Haskell faced charges of aggravated kidnapping, threat of violence, aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and possession of a controlled substance, among other charges.

The probable cause statement said Haskell was released from a halfway house just three days before the incident because of concerns related to the spread of coronavirus.

An online check of court records showed Haskell had a lengthy arrest history for drug-related charges, domestic violence, and burglary.