Dustin Givens, age 22, has been charged with domestic abuse battery and simple kidnapping.
Franklinton police officers responded in force Thursday afternoon to a house on Main Street several blocks south of the courthouse.
Concerned citizens had called 911 to report that a young woman was dragged from her car by a man who was attempting to force her into the house. In addition, witnesses reported that the man struck the woman repeatedly.
Officers arrested Givins and called an ambulance for the victim. (The Era-Leader does not publish the names of domestic violence victims.) The victim was taken to Riverside Medical Center where she was treated for her injuries.
Franklinton Police Department officers collected witness statements and documented the victim’s injuries. Givens was charged with simple kidnapping, a felony. He was also charged with domestic abuse battery, a misdemeanor.
Simple kidnapping in Louisiana can result in up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, if convicted. Conviction of the domestic abuse battery charge could add additional penalties.
Givens was booked into the Washington Parish jail at 5:46 p.m. Thursday by arresting officer James Harper of the Franklinton Police Department.
He remained in the jail through the weekend. Monday morning, a bond hearing was held and his bond was set at $6,000. Givens bonded out of jail Monday at 12:31 p.m.. His case will now go to the Grand Jury and if he is indicted a trial date will be set.
Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown said, “Domestic abuse violence is totally unacceptable in Franklinton and those who injure or threaten others will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
He added, “In this case, alert witnesses took it upon themselves to dial 911 and our officers arrived before a horrible situation became tragic. Citizens should never hesitate to call 911 when they observe an emergency situation.”
