RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Raleigh County man is facing multiple felony charges after deputies say he assaulted two juvenile girls who had given him a ride from Liberty High School to Beckley Stratton Elementary.
According to the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched around 10:43 p.m. Sunday to 1129 S. Fayette Street to assist Beckley Police with a reported disturbance and assault involving a man identified as Randy Smith.
Investigators said two teenage girls reported that Smith approached them while they were parked at Liberty High School and asked for a ride. After initially agreeing, the girls told deputies that Smith became aggressive, grabbing and touching them, choking one of them, and attempting to force himself on them while making threats to kill her.
The victims told deputies that Smith continued to grope them despite being told they were underage. One victim reported that Smith choked her with his elbow and then both hands, restricting her breathing, while also threatening to “choke her to death.”
Deputies said the girls were able to drive Smith to Beckley Stratton Elementary, where officers intervened and took him into custody.
Smith declined to speak with deputies after being read his rights and requested an attorney. He was transported to headquarters for processing.
Smith is charged with Kidnapping, Strangulation, two counts of First-Degree Sexual Abuse, and Battery.
