Published: June 29, 2009 09:48 am      

Ex-girlfriend kidnapped, threatened to be set on fire

By Adam Sulfridge / For the Times-Tribune

According to court documents, 31-year-old William J. “Paco” Young of Buck Creek Road in Williamsburg allegedly kidnapped his former girlfriend, doused her in gasoline, tried to rape her, and threatened to set her on fire sometime around midnight Wednesday.

Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Dennis Foley charged Young with first-degree assault, first-degree rape, kidnapping an adult to sexually assault, second-degree burglary, and driving on a suspended or revoked license.

During his arraignment before District Judge Jason Price, Young pleaded not guilty to all charges except driving on a suspended or revoked license. For that, Price sentenced Young to 30 days in jail.

Around 12:35 a.m., Foley stopped a 2007 Ford matching the description of a vehicle used in a burglary and abduction on Wilson Road, as indicated by witnesses. Foley found Young driving the vehicle, with the victim inside it.

According to the arrest citation written by Foley, the victim said Young poured gasoline on her and threatened to set her on fire. The citation noted the scent of gasoline was present on the victim and her clothing.

Young is currently held on a $75,000 cash bond, and will be represented by a public defender at his Monday preliminary hearing.

Young pleaded guilty in 1999 to aggravated assault and terroristic threatening charges. In 2002, he pleaded guilty to violating an emergency protective order, and also in 2002, he pleaded guilty to other aggravated assault and terroristic threatening charges.