Newton Firefighter Charged With Kidnapping, Assaulting Girlfriend
NEWTON (CBS) - A Newton firefighter has been charged with kidnapping and assaulting his girlfriend, police say.
Lee Gilliam, 33, of Newton Center, was arrested Thursday night and charged with assault and battery on an household member, kidnapping and threatening to commit a crime.
He was arraigned Friday in Newton District Court. He pleaded not guilty and was held without bail.
Prosecutors say Gilliam went to his girlfriend's job in Waltham and when she went outside on her break, he snuck up behind her, punched her several times in the head and when she woke up she was in his car.
The firefighter allegedly grabbed her hair and held on to it while driving back to their apartment in Newton, court records indicate. Once inside the apartment, he allegedly struck her head and left knee area multiple times.
He is also accused of threatening to kill her.
Gilliam took away her purse and keys, and, after he fell asleep, she left the apartment and sought help, officials say.
Authorities say she went to the Newton police station about 8:45 p.m. Thursday to report that she was a domestic violence victim.
She took some of her belongings from the apartment and that was why Gilliam was upset, court records add.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan issued a statement Friday afternoon.
"This case concerns allegations about a frightening level of physical violence as well as threats," she said. "And of particular concern in this case, is a statement the suspect allegedly made about how he could rely on his job as a firefighter to protect him from prosecution."
A dangerousness hearing is scheduled for March 5.
Waltham and Newton police are investigating the incident.
