A 22-year-old man, identified as William Paul Thompson, has been apprehended on charges of criminal sexual conduct and unlawful imprisonment after allegedly holding a 21-year-old woman captive in a tent for a week and subjecting her to repeated sexual assaults. The victim reported that Thompson, described as homeless and residing in a tent, used a weapon to intimidate her during the ordeal.
According to law enforcement officials, the woman managed to escape and contacted state police, providing information about the suspect and his possible whereabouts. Subsequently, Thompson was arrested when evidence supporting the victim’s account was discovered by authorities.
Hailing from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Thompson faces a series of charges, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment, possession of a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, carrying a concealed weapon, and assault with a dangerous weapon. His bond has been set at $1 million (£739,000), and his next court appearance is scheduled for September 11.
If convicted, Thompson could potentially receive a life sentence for the criminal sexual conduct charge, up to 15 years for unlawful imprisonment, up to five years for possessing a dangerous weapon, up to five years for carrying a concealed weapon, and up to four years for assault.
In a separate incident, a woman recently escaped from a three-month kidnapping ordeal where she was allegedly chained, sexually assaulted, and forced to drink from a dog bowl. The victim, held captive by a 40-year-old truck driver named Karel N in the Czech Republic village of Sirem, managed to seek help by knocking on a neighbor’s door at 3am. She described being tortured, starved, and subjected to inhumane treatment during her captivity.
