ELLERBE — A man is facing multiple charges after assaulting a woman inside a vehicle and dragging her back to it.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a domestic violence call Sunday, Nov. 24 — but had to search the area for the victim or caller because the call reportedly came from a 911-only phone.
During the search, the 911 Center reportedly received another call from someone on Sandhill Game Management Road saying a man had pointed a gun and was making threats.
After arriving on scene, deputies learned that the two calls were connected and were related to an altercation between 42-year-old Marshall Steven Smith and an unnamed woman.
Smith allegedly assaulted the woman while they were riding down the road. The woman reportedly got out of the vehicle and ran across a field, but Smith allegedly chased her down and dragged her back to the car.
According to a warrant, Smith took the phone from the victim when she called 911 and hung up.
Deputies arrested Smith and charged him with: first-degree kidnapping; possession of a firearm by a felon; assault by pointing a gun; interfering with emergency communication; and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
He is being held in the Richmond County Jail on a $150,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 5.
Records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety show Smith was convicted in April 2023 of assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats.
Smith was first convicted of misdemeanor breaking and entering in 1999, felony B&E in 2000 and breaking and entering vehicles in 2002.
In 2004, Smith was convicted of being drunk and disorderly and possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance.
Smith was convicted of possession with intent to sell a Schedule IV controlled substance in 2005 and was given probation, which was revoked the following year when he was convicted of driving while impaired, speeding, operating a vehicle without a license and reckless driving, and was incarcerated for four months.
In 2007, Smith was convicted of larceny from the person, and his probation was revoked the next year, resulting in a five-month incarceration.
Smith was convicted in 2010 of simple assault and violating a protective order, and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance in 2011. His probation on all three convictions was revoked in 2012 and he served three months behind bars.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
