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SALT LAKE CITY — A couple accused of attacking a state law enforcer who was investigating a stolen vehicle case now faces numerous criminal charges.
James Cameron Rich Tabler, 29, and Shylene White Mortensen, 26, both believed to be homeless, were charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony; receiving a stolen vehicle, a second-degree felony; assault on a police officer, a third-degree felony; failing to stop at the command of law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a class B misdemeanor.
Tabler received an additional charge of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and giving false identifying information to a police officer, a class C misdemeanor. Prosecutors have requested that Tabler be classified as a habitual offender, meaning his penalties could be enhanced at sentencing, if convicted.
Mortensen received an additional charge of interfering with an arresting officer, a class B misdemeanor.
On Dec. 9, an officer with the Utah Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division responded to a Walgreen's parking lot, near 5600 South and 900 East, on a report of a possible stolen vehicle. The officer spotted the vehicle with Tabler in the driver's seat attempting to start the car, according to charging documents.
The officer had Tabler get out of the car and grabbed his arm. But when Taber stepped out, he began fighting with the officer, the charges state, and "threw his head back," striking the officer in the forehead.
As the officer tried to get Tabler on the ground, Tabler bit the officer's arm two or there times and then squeezed and pulled his genitals, the charges state. As the two were on the ground fighting, Mortensen allegedly came out from a store and started pulling on the officer while saying, "Let him go," referring to Tabler.
After Tabler broke free from the officer, he told Mortensen to "hold him!" and then ran toward the officer's marked patrol vehicle, the charges allege.
Tabler shut the car door. The officer ran after him, opened the car door and jumped on Tabler just as the car was put into drive, according to the charges.
"The officer placed his forearm on Tabler's neck and shifted his body weight onto Tabler's right leg to prevent him from pressing the gas pedal," the charges state.
The patrol car slowly rolled into the stolen vehicle before the officer was able to shut off the ignition and take the keys, court documents state. The officer continued to restrain Tabler inside the vehicle until backup officers could arrive and take the couple into custody.
According to court records, Tabler was convicted of assaulting a police officer in another incident by punching him in the face and grabbing his Taser in 2019. He was sentenced to up to five years at the Utah State Prison. That sentence was ordered to run concurrent with his conviction and sentence for burglary in 2018, in which he was also sentenced to up to five years in prison.
Prosecutors have requested Tabler be held in the Salt Lake County Jail without bail pending trial.
Correction: An earlier version incorrectly identified Shylene Mortensen as Skyline Mortensen.
