A London man is now in custody at the Knox County Detention Center, facing multiple violent charges, including kidnapping and assault. Authorities arrested 38-year-old Shawn Asher on Thursday after reports indicated he allegedly kidnapped a woman from the 8000 block of Kentucky Highway 1232 in Corbin.
Alleged Incident and Arrest
According to a press release from the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, Asher allegedly broke into the victim’s home and waited for her to return. When she arrived, an argument erupted, and Asher reportedly forced the victim into the passenger seat of her Jeep Grand Cherokee, making her leave her cell phone behind.
Around 6 p.m. Thursday, law enforcement, including the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, Barbourville Police Department, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force, received a tip that Asher was traveling southbound on Kentucky Highway 11 in Barbourville with the victim inside the vehicle.
Officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop, arresting Asher without incident. The victim suffered minor physical injuries.
Past Allegations and Charges
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office also reported that Asher allegedly drugged the same victim on Christmas Day of the previous year. According to reports, Asher claimed he had spiked the victim’s coffee with methamphetamine and planted needles in her vehicle.
Following the incident, the victim tested positive for methamphetamine, and Asher was charged with second-degree assault in connection with that event. He was released on bond after his February arrest related to the Christmas Day incident.
In connection with this week’s alleged kidnapping, Asher faces the following charges:
- Second-degree burglary
- Fourth-degree assault (domestic violence, minor injury)
- Kidnapping of an adult
- Second-degree unlawful imprisonment
- Violation of an emergency protective order/domestic violence order
- Second-degree strangulation
Asher remains in custody on a $100,000 bond, and authorities have indicated that the investigation is ongoing.
