Exclusive: Mooresboro Man Charged With Kidnapping, Strangulation

A Rutherford County man faces felony charges of kidnapping and assault by strangulation following an Aug. 22 incident, according to court records obtained by WCAB News.

Kody Brenden Cole, 23, of Mooresboro, is charged in case number 26CR388756-800. The case was filed Aug. 22 in Rutherford District Court and remains pending.

Cole also faces misdemeanor charges of assault on a female and a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

According to the magistrate's order, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office reported that the offenses occurred Aug. 22. The records identify A. Price as the arresting officer.

The kidnapping charge alleges that Cole unlawfully confined or restrained an adult woman without her consent for the purpose of holding her in involuntary servitude or terrorizing her. The charging document further alleges that the woman was not released by Cole in a safe place.

The assault-by-strangulation charge alleges that Cole grabbed the woman's neck with his hands and shoved her, resulting in an injury to her neck.

Court records also allege that Cole struck the woman in the face, dragged her by her hair and struck her arms. Those allegations are the basis of the misdemeanor assault on a female charge.

The domestic violence charge alleges that Cole used physical force against the woman by shoving and striking her and dragging her. The charging document states that the defendant and the woman were in a current dating relationship.

Court records show that a probable cause hearing was waived for Aug. 24. The waiver is a procedural action and does not constitute a finding of guilt.

The bond-setting portion of the records reviewed by WCAB News indicates that bond was not authorized at the time of the initial order. 

Cole is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.