Charges: Man Assaulted Girlfriend, Held Her Captive
ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- A man has been accused of beating, biting and strangling his girlfriend while holding her captive in a St. Paul apartment, according to the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.
On Monday, the Attorney's Office charged Samuel Jay McGown, 42, with domestic assault, domestic assault by strangulation, third-degree assault and two counts of kidnapping -- all felonies.
According to authorities, the 31-year-old victim told police that McGown repeatedly assaulted and strangled her at several locations between Nov. 5, 2011 and Nov. 7, 2011. She added that, while staying in a St. Paul apartment with him on Nov. 8, 2011, McGown accused her of cheating on him, then repeatedly assaulted and strangled her until she passed out.
McGown allegedly assaulted her again while they were leaving the apartment. The victim said he tried to drag her into a wooded area, but fled when a passerby threatened to call police.
"The repeated nature and level of violence that occurred in this case is shocking and reprehensible. Our office will prosecute this case accordingly," said county attorney John Choi.
For his alleged crimes, McGown could be sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.
