Kidnapping charges have been dropped against a Coden man accused of forcing a woman to “marry” him

On November 21, 2024By Pranco

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – FOX10 News has an update on a bizarre story coming out of Mobile County.

A Coden man is accused of kidnapping a woman and forcing her to “marry” him in a sham marriage.

Mobile County man accused of forcing a woman to “marry” him and then assaulting her

Roy Clowder was in court Wednesday morning for a preliminary hearing.

The first-degree kidnapping charge was dropped at the request of prosecutors, according to court documents.

However, Clowder still faces charges of first-degree assault and robbery.

According to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, Clowder met the alleged victim on October 11.

Investigators say Clowder forced her into a car, held a sham wedding at a church and then sexually assaulted her as she drove through Mobile County.

FOX10 News spoke with the alleged victim after Clowder’s hearing. She wasn’t in the courtroom.

She tells us that “she was not asked to come” and what happened between her and Clowder on October 11 was “not consensual.”

Judge Spiro Cheriogotis has subpoenaed her so she can tell her side of the story.

Leanne Johnston of the public defender’s office is representing Clowder.

Johnston says it was consensual.

Investigators say the two first met at a convenience store on Dauphin Island Parkway.

Johnston says Clowder never pointed a gun at the victim to get her into the car.

Johnston also says the two had been drinking together that night and he never took her phone.

According to Mobile County Sheriff’s Detective Michael Pozobyt, the victim claimed she was being held at gunpoint and asked a friend for help, who then contacted the sheriff’s office.

Detective Pozobyt says the victim did not go to the hospital and shows no signs of physical injury.

Three witnesses claiming to be friends of Clowder testified that the victim did not appear to be in distress.

The witnesses say the victim chose to remain in the car as Clowder drove her to different locations.

According to the witnesses, Clowder didn’t go along with a “plan” the alleged victim came up with, which led to her filing charges.

Judge Cheriogotis chose not to send the case to a grand jury.

He says he wants to hear from the alleged victim first.

The court hearing is scheduled for December 9.