Man Facing Sexual Abuse Charges in Mobile County Incident
Mobile County, AL – A man accused of sexually abusing a woman and coercing her into a mock marriage will no longer face kidnapping charges after a recent court ruling. Circuit Court Judge Spiro Cheriogotis denied prosecutors’ request to amend the kidnapping charge against 38-year-old Roy Clowder from kidnapping to unlawful imprisonment, as per court records.
The charges stem from an incident on October 11, when Clowder allegedly met the victim at a convenience store on Dauphin Island Parkway. Clowder is accused of asking her for a ride home and, during this time, brandished a firearm. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office reports that he forcibly took control of the vehicle by holding the woman at gunpoint, compelling her to enter the passenger seat.
Clowder is claimed to have driven the victim to various locations, ultimately stopping at a local church where he forced her to participate in a mock wedding on the steps outside. This disturbing act was part of a sequence of events where the victim was kept in distress as he displayed violent behavior.
The situation escalated when the victim’s family contacted local authorities, leading to police intervention. Officers managed to reach out to the victim via phone, but Clowder allegedly answered and subsequently abandoned the vehicle.
Despite the dismissal of the kidnapping charge, Clowder still faces serious charges of sexual abuse and robbery, with the case scheduled for future hearings. The community remains alarmed as details of the incident unfold, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding public safety and victim support in such traumatic situations.
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