Water Valley Man Arrested On Aggravated Domestic Violence, Kidnapping Charges
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James Leford was arrested Friday morning.
WATER VALLEY — James Ledford, 39, of Water Valley, was arrested Friday morning on felony charges stemming from an alleged domestic assault earlier in the week.
Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum reported officers launched an investigation early Tuesday morning, Feb. 3, after a female victim came to the Water Valley Police Department to report that she had been assaulted at a residence on Central Street.
“When officers arrived, they encountered a female victim who had been assaulted at a residence on Central Street,” Mangrum said. “She was severely assaulted.”
The victim was briefly interviewed by officers before being transported by ambulance to the hospital for evaluation. Mangrum said she was treated and released.
Investigators determined the incident was domestic in nature, and the severity of the victim’s injuries elevated the case to aggravated domestic violence.
Police attempted to contact Ledford that night but were unsuccessful. Warrants were later issued for aggravated domestic violence and kidnapping.
Mangrum said officers eventually located and arrested Ledford after following him Friday morning as he took his daughter to school.
“Officers followed him as he dropped his daughter off at school,” Mangrum said. “They tried to initiate a traffic stop after he left the school. He didn’t immediately stop, but he turned his flashers on and drove to his residence, and officers were able to take him into custody at his residence without further incident.”
Mangrum said the kidnapping charge stems from the victim’s statement that she was prevented from leaving the residence during the incident.
“From the victim’s statement, he held her in the bedroom and wouldn’t let her leave,” Mangrum said.
Ledford appeared before a judge Friday morning, where bond was set at $150,000.
Mangrum said the court ordered a cooling-off period before bond could be posted.
“The judge put a cooling-off period in place, so he’ll be eligible for bond after 5 p.m.,” Mangrum said.
Police said the case remains under investigation and additional related charges could be filed.
