ELLERBE — A man is facing several charges after assaulting a lady inside a car and dragging her back into it.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a domestic violence complaint on Sunday, November 24, but had to search the area for the victim or caller because the call was purportedly made from a 911-only phone.
During the search, the 911 Center apparently received another contact from someone on Sandhill Game Management Road, reporting that a man was pointing a gun and making threats.
When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered that the two complaints were related to an argument involving 42-year-old Marshall Steven Smith and an unnamed lady.
Smith allegedly abused the woman as they rode down the road. The woman reportedly exited the vehicle and fled across a field, but Smith pursued her and dragged her back to the automobile.
According to the warrant, Smith grabbed the victim’s phone after she phoned 911 and hung up.
Deputies detained Smith and charged him with first-degree kidnapping, felon possession of a handgun, assault with a gun, interfering with emergency communication, and misdemeanor domestic abuse.
He is being held at the Richmond County Jail on a $150,000 secured bond and is expected to appear in court on December 5.
According to records with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Smith was convicted of assault by pointing a gun and conveying threats in April of 2023.
Smith was initially convicted of misdemeanor breaking and entering in 1999, felony B&E in 2000, and breaking and entering automobiles in 2002.
Smith was convicted in 2004 of being drunk and disorderly, as well as possessing a Schedule VI controlled drug.
Smith was convicted of possession with intent to sell a Schedule IV controlled substance in 2005 and sentenced to probation, which was revoked the following year when he was convicted of driving while impaired, speeding, operating a vehicle without a license, and reckless driving, and was imprisoned for four months.
Smith was convicted of larceny from the person in 2007, and his probation was overturned the following year, leading to a five-month prison sentence.
Smith was convicted of simple assault and violating a protection order in 2010, followed by possession of a Schedule II controlled drug in 2011. His probation for all three charges was terminated in 2012, and he served three months in prison.
All defendants who face criminal charges are deemed innocent until proven guilty in court.