Probable cause: Carthage man kidnapped, strangled, punched girlfriend

The preliminary hearing for a Carthage man on kidnapping, second degree assault and resisting arrest charges will be held 10 a.m. Thursday in Jasper County Circuit Court.

Joshua Cotton Buzzard (DOB 2000) allegedly beat his girlfriend, strangled her and refused to let her leave home September 12 and 13.

The allegations were detailed in the probable cause statement:

When contacting Victim 1 I noticed several bruises on {her}arms and neck area along with a black eye. {She} told me that the boyfriend, who has been living together in a romantic relationship at the above mentioned address; had been beating {her} since sometime yesterday. 

V1 said Suspect 1 woke up the last two mornings very angry and calling {her} names then would begin to beat on her. V1 said on 9/12/2023 {she} woke up to {Buzzard} yelling at and then {he}held {her} down and strangled {her}. V1 could not breathe for approximately 20-30 seconds. {She} attempted to leave the residence and {Buzzard} grabbed {her} by the hair and dragged {her} back to the bedroom and {Buzzard} proceeded to punch, closed fist, {her} in the ribs and strangled {her}, once again not being able to breathe. 

On 9/13/2023 V1 woke up to {Buzzard} screaming again and demanding {she} get {him} some weed. After {she} didn’t do as {he} asked, {Buzzard} began hitting {her} in the ribs again. 

After {Buzzard} went to sleep this morning V1 was able to escape the residence and call for help. {She} sustained several bruises on both arms and on the left rib cage area. {She} also had marking around her neck consistent with being strangled. 

When contact was attempted with S1, he fled after being given verbal commands to stop and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit traveled for 18.9 miles. {Buzzard} was finally apprehended near the city limits of Carthage.

The case was investigated by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office.