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City Man Charged with Assault, Kidnapping

June 23rd, 2021 by WCBC Radio

On 06/22/2021 the Cumberland Police were contacted by the Maryland State Police about a 16 year old female victim who was reporting being assaulted by her 21 year old boyfriend. An interview with the victim revealed that she had been at the boyfriend's residence, located in Cumberland, on 06/20/2021. There was an argument and the boyfriend refused to allow the victim to leave.

 

            Over the course of the next couple of hours the boyfriend assaulted the victim repeatedly by tying her hands together, punching her, choking her, and pulling hair out of her head. Injuries consistent with the victim's allegations were readily visible to the responding officers. The victim was transported to UPMC Western Maryland by the State Police for treatment of her injuries.

 

            The Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I) was contacted for assistance in the investigation. C3I Investigators obtained a search warrant for the boyfriend's residence. The search resulted in the recovery of several items of evidence, including bloody clothing and several clumps of what is believed to be the victim's hair.

 

            As a result, Investigators arrested 21 year old Eric Lee Smith, of Cumberland. Smith was charged on an arrest warrant with Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, and numerous counts of both 1st Degree and 2nd Degree Assault. Smith is currently being held, pending an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.

 

            The investigation is continuing by the Cumberland Police and C3I. Additional charges are anticipated.