Man arrested for kidnapping in Scott County makes first appearance

By Gary Scott on September 14, 2015 at 1:53pm

A Manchester man facing charges stemming from a bizarre incident last week that saw a woman lock herself in the bathroom of a South Jacksonville gas station to avoid him made his first court appearance this morning.

Forty-four-year-old Lance Lawson was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated domestic battery, unlawful restraint and unlawful interference with a report of domestic violence in connection to an incident that took place over a two day period last Tuesday and Wednesday.

Scott County State’s Attorney Michael Hill says Lawson kidnapped a woman, battered her, and prevented her from reporting it by destroying her cell phone and did not let her leave his residence over the two-day period.

According to the state’s attorney’s office, Lawson did not enter a plea this morning and indicated he will seek private counsel.

Lawson surrendered to the Scott County Sheriff’s Department pursuant to a warrant for his arrest, according to Hill. Lawson has been lodged at the Greene County Jail since Friday, where he will remain unless he posts $25,000 in bond.

Lawson’s next court appearance is a preliminary hearing on September 24th.