A London man is now in custody at the Knox County Detention Center, facing multiple violent charges, including kidnapping and assault. According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, authorities arrested 38-year-old Shawn Asher on Thursday after receiving reports that he allegedly kidnapped a woman from the 8000 block of Kentucky Highway 1232 in Corbin.
According to a press release, Asher allegedly broke into the victim’s home and waited for her to return. When she arrived, an argument erupted between them. Authorities say Asher then forced the victim into the passenger seat of her Jeep Grand Cherokee and made her leave her cell phone behind at the residence.
Around 6 p.m. Thursday, the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, the 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee and conducted a traffic stop. They took Asher into custody without incident, and officials reported that the victim suffered minor physical injuries.
According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Asher allegedly drugged the same victim on Christmas Day last year. LEX 18 previously reported that on Dec. 25, the victim was drinking a cup of coffee at her home while watching her child open Christmas presents when Asher allegedly claimed he had spiked her mug with methamphetamine and planted needles in her vehicle.
The following day, Dec. 26, the victim underwent blood testing at a hospital, which revealed she tested positive for methamphetamine. In February, authorities lodged Asher at the Knox County Detention Center and charged him with second-degree assault in connection with that incident. According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, he was released on bond shortly after that arrest.
In connection with the alleged kidnapping this week, authorities have charged Asher with 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, and second-degree strangulation.
He remains in custody on a $100,000 bond, and officials say the investigation into the alleged crimes is ongoing.
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