PHILIPPI, W.Va. — A Barbour County man faces charges after a woman claims he held her against her will for more than a week in a rural camper.
Barbour County Deputies arrested Thomas Paugh, Jr. 35, on charges of kidnapping, strangulation, and malicious wounding.
The victim tells authorizes Paugh took her cell phone and car keys then held her captive in a camper on Elk Creek Road near Philippi. She said when she attempted to leave, he choked her and beat her up. According to the criminal complaint, the woman was able to finally get access to a phone and call 911 and stayed on the line until deputies arrived.
Deputies arrived about 10 minutes later and Paugh retreated into the camper, but eventually allowed the woman out to speak with them. Deputies observed visible bruising on the woman including black eyes and marks on her neck.
Paugh was arrested and is lodged in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail in lieu of $80,000 bond.