Man Arrested For Kidnapping And Assault

Newport police arrested a man Wednesday for holding a woman against her will in a motel parking lot. According to a police report, a 64 year old female sent a text message to her family that she was in danger and was in a car behind the Best Western in Newport. Police were dispatched to the parking lot behind the motel and found the victim 49 year old Ledel Smith in the car with South Carolina plates. The victim told police that she wanted to go ack to Knoxville, but Smith was holding her against her will trying to take her to Charleston. The woman stated she was afraid of Smith claiming he told her he would take her to a remote location, beat her and then leave her stranded. Ledel Smith admitted to police that he had been arrested on other occasions for domestic violence against the same woman. Smith was arrested and charged with kidnapping and assault.