Jason Tracy

A New Town man charged with Class B felony kidnapping made his initial appearance in North Central District Court on March 28 after several delays.

Jason Tracy, 42, New Town, appeared before District Judge Richard Hagar after being charged by Mountrail County Sheriff’s investigators with Class B felony kidnapping and with fleeing a peace officer and disobedience of a judicial order, both Class A misdemeanors.

The charges against Tracy stem from an incident on Jan. 12 when Mountrail County Dispatch received a call from Tracy’s estranged wife, Sarah Tracy, claiming he had taken their child from school when he wasn’t supposed to.

According to court documents, a Mountrail County officer was dispatched to Jason Tracy’s residence to retrieve and return the child. The officer met with Tracy outside his residence in New Town and advised him of the order to return the child to the mother.

Tracy responded he was unaware of the new order, and he was following the last agreement in place. Tracy also denied the child was in his home. Tracy fled the scene in his vehicle, eventually eluding the officer after a brief pursuit.

A brief search of the residence with assistance from Three Affiliated Tribes Police failed to locate Tracy or the child but did produce the child’s backpack and jacket.

According to court documents, investigators followed up on a lead from Sarah Tracy to visit a nearby residence, leading to the discovery of Tracy and the child. Investigators provided Jason Tracy with a copy of the order as he was arrested.

Tracy posted a bond of $10,300 on Jan. 15, with a promise to appear at a court date that occurred March 28. Tracy’s next court date is a preliminary hearing scheduled on April 25.