Ala. man accused of kidnapping woman, locking her in trailer, and assaulting her
06/22/2023 12:56 pm PDT
HARTSELLE, Ala. (TCD) -- A 51-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman, holding her captive in a trailer, and sexually assaulting her over the course of several days in May.
On June 13, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office announced deputies arrested Christopher Lee Ward at his residence on the 500 block of New Center Road for first-degree kidnapping and second-degree assault, though he could face additional charges.
According to court documents cited by WHNT-TV, the woman needed Ward to take her to an appointment and he allegedly drove her back to his trailer afterward and locked her in. Ward reportedly told her she ruined his day, then hit her several times. He allegedly used a padlock to keep her in the trailer and refused to let her leave.
Ward reportedly sexually assaulted the victim as well.
WHNT reports the victim told police Ward that on the second night of her purported captivity, Ward "had taken a shot of dope which in turn made him paranoid."
The affidavit says the woman told police Ward "punched her, kicked her, kneed her in the ribs, choked her, and beat her severely."
Ward allegedly said he would kill her "before he went to prison for this."
The victim eventually managed to escape when she and Ward got into his car, but then he stopped to say hi to someone he knew. She reportedly got out of the car and ran to safety, where she asked someone to call 911 for her.
Ward is currently being held in the Morgan County Jail without bond.
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