SALT LAKE CITY -- An FBI agent was stabbed rescuing the son of multimillionaire Utah businessman Jon Huntsman from two 17-year-old boys suspected of abducting the youth for $1 million ransom, authorities said.
Federal agents Wednesday rescued James Huntsman, 16, unharmed at a grocery store after the teen was handcuffed and blindfolded overnight at a nearby motel, FBI spokesman Robert Bryant said.
Agent Al Jacobsen, a 20-year-veteran of the FBI, was stabbed in the chest by one suspect during the rescue and was in serious condition at LDS Hospital.
The youth suspected in the knife attack was tackled and subdued by a second agent. Another suspect was arrested about three hours later at Highland High School, officials said.
Both youths, believed to be schoolmates of Huntsman, were charged with kidnapping and one was arraigned in federal court in the agent's assault, Bryant said.
A knife-wielding person in disguise abducted Huntsman from in front of the family's posh home Tuesday evening, authorities said.
'It was well planned. It wasn't something spur of the moment,' Police Chief Bud Willoughby said.
The kidnappers knew that Jon Huntsman and his wife, Karen, were in West Virginia on company business, he said.
About twelve hours after the abduction, a telephone caller demanded $1 million in ransom, including $100,000 in used $100 bills, Jon and Karen Huntsman said in a statement.
The father refused to turn over any money until he spoke to his son. About 20 minutes later he was allowed to talk with the boy on the telephone, and soon after he hung up, two agents converged on a grocery store loading dock, freeing Huntsman and arresting one suspect.
Jon Huntsman is head of Huntsman Chemical Co. and is one of the richest men in Utah. Earlier this year he donated $5 million to the University of Utah, the single largest cash gift in the school's history.
'Our family is deeply grateful to the FBI and Salt Lake City Police Department who acted swiftly in saving the life of one of our children,' a weary Jon Huntsman told reporters.
'Handcuffed, blindfolded and threatened numerous occasions with a knife to his throat, our son is now recovering as is our whole family from the ordeal,' he said.
