ROANE COUNTY, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – A Roane County man has been convicted for holding the mother of his child captive and assaulting her on Christmas Eve in 2022, according to District Attorney General Russell Johnson.
On April 15, a Roane County jury convicted Traythan Edwards of two counts of aggravated kidnapping, domestic assault and theft.
Johnson said on the morning of Dec. 24, 2022, Edwards returned to the home in Rockwood that he shared with the mother of his child. After going inside, an argument started which escalated to physical violence.
According to Johnson, Edwards prevented the woman from breathing while covering her mouth and nose to quiet her crying. The woman managed to escape a few times, but Edwards dragged her back into the house by her hair.
The woman was then taken to the District Attorney General Russell Johnson. According to Johnson, an officer went back to the house. She found evidence to corroborate the woman’s story and also found two handguns.
Edwards ran away and was later found and arrested on Jan. 5, 2023.
The case in Roane County was delayed due to Edwards’ having been charged in a multi-county drug conspiracy case. He was ultimately convicted of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to serve 18 months in federal prison.
The kidnapping case was able to continue once he was released from prison.
Johnson said at the conclusion of the kidnapping trial, Edwards was immediately taken into custody at the Roane County Jail. He will be sentenced on July 13 and could face up to 12 years in prison.
