Corbin man accused of kidnapping, sexual assault at gunpoint

Only minutes after she was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted, a local woman and her mother pursued her alleged attacker in through the streets of Corbin in an effort to bring him to justice – and with the help of local police, they may have succeeded.

The alleged suspect, Laurence J. Rider, 46, of Log Cabin Road in

Corbin, was charged with kidnapping, first-degree sexual abuse and second degree wanton endangerment in connection with the incident which happened shortly after 9:00 p.m. last Wednesday night.
Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Carmack said the 22-year-old female victim was in the parking area of the former Little Caeser’s location on Master Street in Corbin waiting for her mother to pick her up when Rider drove up. “She had walked there to meet her mother,” Carmack said. “He asked her if she wanted a ride and she told him no. He left but then allegedly came back with a gun and a ski mask on.”

Carmack said the victim did not know Rider.

Rider then allegedly held the gun to the woman’s stomach and forced her behind the building. She reportedly attempted to escape, at which time Rider pulled her hair and forced her to go against her will.
Carmack said that Rider then reportedly put the gun to her head and told her he would kill her if she did not comply with his demands. He then allegedly unzipped his pants and made her fondle him. She reportedly tried to stop, but he forced her to continue at gunpoint.

Rider then allegedly kissed the woman and told her to go back around in front of the building, where her mother had just arrived.

“She told her mother and then her mother actually chased the suspect for a short while. They lost sight of him,” Carmack said, adding that the victim and her mother were able to get a license plate number and called Corbin Police, who later located Rider on Gordon Hill.

“Corbin Police were in the area looking for him. From my understanding, he passed police at a stop sign,” Carmack said.

Rider appeared in Knox District Court for a preliminary hearing

Tuesday, at which time his attorney Jane Butcher waived the hearing. The case will be considered by the Knox County Grand Jury March 25.

Under Kentucky law, kidnapping is a Class B felony, punishable by
10-20 years in prison. First-degree sexual abuse is a Class D felony, carrying a possible imprisonment of between one and five years.

Second-degree wanton endangerment is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a jail term of up to 12 months.
Rider’s bond was set at $5,000 fully secured, along with a $15,000 surety bond. He was also put on home incarceration and ordered not to have any contact with the victim or her family.