Two young Portsmouth residents are facing serious felony charges after a Scioto County grand jury returned indictments accusing them of aggravated robbery, kidnapping, felonious assault, and abduction.
Blake Ruggles, 21, of Portsmouth, and Kierra Maddix, 19, of Portsmouth, were both indicted in connection with an alleged April 15 incident in Scioto County.
According to the indictment, prosecutors allege the pair attempted or committed a theft offense and inflicted or attempted to inflict serious physical harm on the victim.
Both defendants are charged with:
- Aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony
- Kidnapping, a first-degree felony
- Felonious assault, a second-degree felony
- Abduction, a third-degree felony
The kidnapping charge alleges Ruggles and Maddix removed or restrained the victim by force, threat, or deception for the purpose of committing felonious assault and aggravated robbery, or fleeing afterward.
The felonious assault charge alleges they knowingly caused serious physical harm to the victim.
The abduction charge alleges they restrained the victim’s liberty by force or threat under circumstances that created a risk of physical harm or placed the victim in fear.
The indictment does not provide a detailed narrative of what investigators believe led up to the incident.
The charges are allegations. Ruggles and Maddix are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.