Man with a machete trespasses on tribal land and threatens residents near Ivins

ST. GEORGE — A male wielding a black machete with a green handle was discovered entering the Shivwit Band of Paiutes reservation on Thursday.

Records from the Washington County Sheriff's Office stated that Santa Clara-Ivins police officers who responded to the report were able to detain the man, who later identified himself as Miguel Zuniga.

The Paiute tribal land comprises 28,000 acres in southwestern Washington County, 12 miles west of St. George, near Ivins, and has recently seen an increase in trespassers, according to officials.

Shivwits Land Resources Manager Travis Duran told St. George News he was driving on the reservation when he observed Zuniga walking and holding something in his hand. When he realized it was a huge knife, Duran called the Washington County Sheriff's dispatch. Additionally, he contacted the tribal security which protects the tribe's gas station.

"With emergencies like this, we all communicate and communication was probably the number one key to this event that happened," Duran said. "If we didn't have our security for day and nighttime at the gas station, we never know what could happen and people wouldn't be warned."

Duran said he coordinated with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Santa Clara Police and St. George Police departments.

Washington County recently signed an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement for Law Enforcement Services with Shivwit's leadership.

Duran said he observed Zuniga attempting to enter cars and homes on the tribal land. Duran became concerned when he realized children were playing in the neighborhood the direction Zuniga was going.

The police report stated that one caller reported Zuniga was holding the machete over his head and when he said, "Give me your keys, or I’ll cut your head off."

The probable cause statement noted during a search of the suspect, officers allegedly discovered what appeared to be a white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine, a glass pipe and a syringe. The items were seized and placed into evidence.

Zuniga was transported to Purgatory Correctional Facility on aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, weapon unauthorized person and drug possession charges. According to court records, Zuniga was out on bail from an incident where drug charges were filed in Beaver County on Dec. 7, 2022.

Old Highway 91 cuts through the tribal land. As people enter the reservation, they sometimes bypass fencing and leave established roadways. Duran said with many people wanting to see Gunlock Falls this year, trespassing has increased, including off-highway vehicle riders, mountain bikers, hikers, trappers, hunters and grazing cattle.

Encroachers are often seen flying drones, dumping trash and leaving animal carcasses on tribal land.

"The Band is dedicated to protecting the reservation's natural resources," Duran stated, "We just ask visitors to be respectful and abide by the rules."

Those visiting the reservation must observe the laws of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes, Duran said in an earlier article. The Shivwits Band of Paiutes recently passed a land use ordinance defining and prohibiting trespassing. In addition to civil trespass prosecution, the Band and the Washington County Sheriff's office may pursue criminal trespass violations.

Utah law allows for six months in jail and fines of up to $1,000 for the class B misdemeanor of criminal trespass on state or private property. The maximum penalty increases to $2,500 and a year in jail if the crime occurs in a dwelling.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Stephanie DeGraw is an award-winning journalist. For 25 years, she engaged in journalism, broadcasting and public relations. DeGraw worked for the Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press and The City Journals. She was a reporter for a CBS television station in Twin Falls, Idaho. She graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Broadcasting.

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