ROCKINGHAM — An 18-year-old is facing multiple criminal charges, accused in a kidnapping last month.
According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded Aug. 20 to a reported kidnapping in the 600 block of U.S. 1 S.
Responding deputies were reportedly told that Monteise Lovonte Hubbard, of Hamlet, had forced his way into a home and taken the reported victim — later identified as a former girlfriend — from the home against her will, forced her into a vehicle and left the area.
Hubbard allegedly damaged the door frame of the home during the incident.
Following immediate search efforts by deputies, the victim was reportedly found unharmed and returned to her family.
An arrest warrant was issued the following day, charging Hubbard with one felony count each of kidnapping and first-degree burglary, as well as one misdemeanor count each of assault on a female and injury to real property.
Hubbard was reportedly taken into custody without incident on Sept. 24. Records show he was booked into the Richmond County Jail at 12.:49 p.m. and is currently being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 12.
“I commend our deputies and investigators for their response to this incident and, most importantly, for their efforts in safely locating the victim,” Sheriff Mark Gulledge said in a statement. “Cases involving allegations of violence and the unlawful removal of another person are taken seriously, and our personnel will continue working diligently to protect victims and hold those responsible accountable through the judicial process.”
Online court records show Hubbard has pending misdemeanor charges of assault on a female, assault by pointing a gun, assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of communicating threats — involving the same reported victim — from late July.
Hubbard appears to have no prior convictions as an adult.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
