COWPENS MAN RECEIVES 25-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR VIOLENT ABDUCTION

A Cowpens man received a 25-year prison sentence today for breaking into his girlfriend’s family home and abducting her in a stolen car.

James Moody, 30, pleaded guilty to kidnapping, first-degree burglary, assault and battery with intent to kill and grand larceny. Moody will serve 85 percent of Circuit Judge Mark Hayes’ prison sentence before he is eligible for release.

Cowpens police responded to a 911 hang-up call about 1:20 a.m. on July 30, 2006 and discovered the burglary at a Top Notch Road home. During their search, officers found a broken necklace and blood on the floor of the home. The homeowner’s car was also missing.

A short time later, the missing vehicle was found on the shoulder of Battleground Road with the 20-year-old victim inside. The victim told police she called 911 as soon as she realized Moody was breaking in. Moody took the telephone away from her and began punching her in the face. He grabbed some near-by car keys and made her leave the home with him. Moody knocked the victim unconscious when he punched her again inside the car. Once the victim regained consciousness, she pretended she was still out of it. When Moody got out of the car, she jumped in the driver’s seat and drove off. Moody was arrested Aug. 17, 2006 in Charleston.

The victim’s injuries included a fractured eye socket, a broken nose in three places and cuts that required more than two stitches to repair. The victim underwent facial surgery a week later.

Moody and the victim had been living apart for about a month when the assault occurred.

“The victim is a courageous young lady,” Assistant Solicitor Cindy Crick said. “She probably saved her own life with her actions during this terrifying sequence of events.”

Moody’s prior criminal history included convictions for second-degree burglary, grand larceny, use of vehicle without owner’s consent and simple assault.