An area man who allegedly kidnapped and assaulted his estranged wife Friday turned himself in to authorities Monday.
Capt. Gregg Johnson of the Carter County Sheriff’s Department said Russell Smith was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies without incident. Authorities looked for Smith all weekend after he became a suspect in an attack on his estranged wife.
Sheriff Ken Grace said Saturday that Smith allegedly forced his way into the woman’s rural Lone Grove residence, dragging her to his vehicle and later assaulting her. Grace said the woman was able to escape from her attacker.
“He had taken her to a field north of Lone Grove, where he beat her,” he said. “She was finally able to convince him to take her back to the residence where she was staying with friends by promising him she would follow him back to the field in her vehicle and talk with him.”
The sheriff said Smith took her back to the residence and as soon as she was able to get in her own car, she went to the Lone Grove Police Department.
Grace said the kidnapping-assault was apparently linked to Smith’s estranged wife’s action to dissolve their marriage. The sheriff said the woman filed for divorce two weeks ago.
Smith has a prior criminal history, and Johnson said he was arrested on home invasion and kidnapping charges. The district attorney is expected to file formal charges against Smith later this week.
