An El Dorado man is facing several charges after allegedly kidnapping a woman in July.
Justin L. Morgan, 43, has been charged with kidnapping, burglary, first-degree domestic battery, first-degree terroristic threatening and two counts of theft of property during a criminal episode, all tagged with habitual offender enhancements.
According to court records, on July 30, El Dorado police were called to the Hudson Apartments on a domestic disturbance call. They learned that Morgan had allegedly forced a woman into her vehicle against her will and left the area before they arrived at the complex. Later they found out that the woman had tried to exit the vehicle, causing an accident in the area of Cedar and Hudson streets.
Police followed a trail of debris in the area toward Martin Luther King Boulevard, then onto East Wesson. They found the wrecked vehicle in a driveway on East Wesson, and could hear sounds inside the residence, records state.
Officers reportedly heard loud movement that "sounded similar to heavy footsteps fleeing," and decided to force entry into the residence. They allegedly found Morgan inside, standing over the woman, who was bloody and "semi-unconscious," with several head injuries which she told police were caused by Morgan hitting her in the head with a brick.
In an interview, the woman told police that she was staying with a friend out of fear of Morgan, who she said had been released from incarceration shortly before. She said Morgan forced his way into her friend's residence, beat her in the head and face with a set of keys, then forced her into the vehicle and left. She told police Morgan held her by her hair when she tried to jump from the vehicle, causing the wreck.
She was transported to the Medical Center of South Arkansas for medical attention shortly afterward.
According to court records, police found multiple strands of the woman's hair inside the vehicle parked in the driveway, and several more next to brick on the ground next to the vehicle. Both airbags were deployed, the windshield was cracked, and the front bumper, driver-side tire and rim were all damaged as well, records state.
Morgan is due to appear in court next Tuesday, Nov. 7. He currently is being held in the Union County jail on a $350,000 bond.
Morgan