Joshua T. Hawthorne, 32, has been charged with multiple felonies after authorities allege he kidnapped his ex-girlfriend off a Louisville street, held her captive for three days at his Kentucky home, and beat her when she refused to unlock her phone.
Background
According to an arrest citation obtained by Law&Crime through ABC affiliate WHAS, the incident began on Aug. 23 when Hawthorne allegedly pulled his car alongside a woman walking in Louisville and forced her into his vehicle. The victim, identified as Hawthorne's ex-girlfriend, told authorities he drove them to his residence in St. Matthews, Kentucky, just east of Louisville.
Once inside, Hawthorne reportedly dragged the woman into a closet and restrained her there for approximately an hour before removing her, cutting her hair and clothing, and dragging her by her ankles into another room, according to court records.
"He ordered her to unlock her phone, and when she refused, he struck the phone with a gun and pointed the firearm at her face," the arrest citation stated, per WHAS. Hawthorne then locked the bedroom door and remained with her through the night.
The Investigation
Three days later, on Aug. 26, authorities say Hawthorne decided to go shopping and ordered his captive to accompany him. He drove them to a Walmart market location in Louisville, went inside to shop, and left the woman alone in the vehicle.
She reportedly seized the opportunity to escape, managed to exit the car, and found help. The Louisville Metro Police Department was contacted and launched an investigation into the incident.
When officers responded, they documented visible injuries sustained by the victim: a black eye, bruises across her body, and a cut on her ankle. She told investigators that Hawthorne had threatened to kill her during the captivity.
Hawthorne was taken into custody on Wednesday. Jail records reviewed by Law&Crime show he is also charged with violating an interpersonal protective order that had been in place between him and the victim prior to this incident.
The Charges
Hawthorne faces five criminal counts stemming from the alleged attack: first-degree assault tied to domestic violence, kidnapping of an adult, first-degree strangulation tied to domestic violence, first-degree wanton endangerment, and third-degree terroristic threatening. He was expected to be arraigned on Thursday following his arrest.
Key Takeaways
- Joshua T. Hawthorne, 32, allegedly kidnapped his ex-girlfriend off a Louisville street on Aug. 23
- He held her captive at his St. Matthews home for three days, assaulting her repeatedly
- The attacks intensified when she refused to unlock her phone; he struck the device with a gun and threatened her with the weapon
- She escaped while Hawthorne shopped inside a Walmart, leaving her in the vehicle
- He faces five felony charges including domestic violence-related assault and kidnapping
- An interpersonal protective order had previously been issued between the two parties
What's Next
Hawthorne was expected to face arraignment on Thursday following his arrest. The Louisville Metro Police Department continues its investigation into the incident, and additional charges may be filed as prosecutors review evidence collected from the scene.