By Tracie Sullivan, For Iron County Today
An argument that escalated into threats with weapons on New Year’s Eve in Enoch led to the arrest of a man who also allowed aggressive dogs to roam the street, police said.
Joseph Edward Ellis, 55, was arrested December 31 after officers responded to a report of two men fighting at 4241 N. Triple Deuce Circle.
According to the probable cause statement filed in 5th District Court, police arrived on scene at approximately 11:20 p.m., where they found Ellis and another man outside the residence. There were also two Pitbulls officers said were behaving aggressively.
“I gave the owner, Joseph Ellis, orders to put his dogs away several times,” the deputy stated in the affidavit. “The dogs approached me several times.”
One of the dogs allegedly came within two feet of the officer, prompting him to deploy his Taser to deter the animal. After this, Ellis complied and restrained the dogs.
Police interviewed three individuals at the scene to piece together the events leading up to an altercation. The victim alleged that Ellis brandished both a machete and a tire iron during the argument.
Ellis admitted to pulling the weapons but claimed it was in self-defense. A third-party witness, however, described Ellis as being “aggressive all night” and stated that the victim only pulled a knife after Ellis first wielded an “ice pick.”
“All parties stated that an argument had taken place, the victim was told to leave, and Joseph continued to be aggressive,” the affidavit stated.
Ellis was charged with aggravated assault, a third-degree felony, for allegedly pulling the weapons during the dispute. He also faces a class B misdemeanor charge for allowing vicious dogs at large, as the dogs were reportedly loose in the street when officers arrived.
Additionally, Ellis was charged with disorderly conduct, an infraction, for disturbing the peace of the neighborhood during the fight.
Ellis was booked into the Iron County Jail shortly after midnight on January 1. In the affidavit, the responding officer emphasized Ellis’ aggressive behavior and the dangers posed by both the unleashed dogs and the weapons requesting the suspect be held without bail.