Sikeston man arrested for domestic assault, felonious restraint

BENTON -- A Sikeston man was arrested on domestic violence and felonious restraint charges after an incident Tuesday.

According to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter, Wilburn L. Gifford, 41, was charged with the Class C felony of domestic assault in the second degree and the Class C felony of felonious restraint.

Walter said that deputies responded to a residence in rural Sikeston Tuesday for a domestic violence case where the victim ran to a neighbor's residence. The victim told deputies that she had been assaulted by Gifford and not allowed to leave the residence for approximately six hours.

The victim told deputies that she had been in an argument with Gifford, who had struck the victim in the head with his fists. When the victim attempted to leave, she stated Gifford grabbed her by the hair, punched her in the head and wouldn't let her leave. The victim said she tried to leave numerous times, but Gifford kept striking her and throwing her to the floor. She stated that Gifford choked her and she almost lost consciousness. Gifford also kept telling the victim he was going to kill her, according to her statements to deputies.

The victim was able to make it outside once, but was caught by Gifford, who then dragged her back into the house by her hair. He also pulled his vehicle in front of the victim's vehicle so she could not leave.

Eventually Gifford fell asleep and the victim located her phone, snuck outside and hid behind a neighbor's residence and called 911.

The victim had bruising to her face, under her chin around her neck and her arm.

Deputies located Gifford inside the residence, placed him under arrest and transported him to the Scott County Jail where he remains on $1,500 cash only bond and no contact allowed with the victim.