18-year-old accused of kidnapping 15-year-old

Joe Martin Ijames

By Nathan Hardin

nhardin@salisburypost.com

WOODLEAF — An 18-year-old was in jail Monday after authorities say he held a 15-year-old against her will inside his Woodleaf home.

A Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report said deputies forced entry into Joey Ijames’ 1028 Bob’s Place home about 3 a.m. Sunday.

Officers went to the home and knocked twice that night after the girl’s family members staked out the Ijames’ home. Relatives told authorities the Davie County teen was last seen with Ijames.

The girl’s family members spoke with her friends, who had received a text message from the kidnapped teen, according to an arrest report. A family member saw movement within the Bob’s Place home Saturday night and later showed officers the teen’s text.

“The text message had information that led our officers to believe she was being held there and not being allowed to leave,” Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Spokesman John Sifford said Monday.

After obtaining warrants, deputies entered the home and broke into an upstairs bedroom. The report said officers found Ijames and the 15-year-old in the room, along with a strong odor of marijuana.

Ijames was charged with felony kidnapping, resisting, obstructing, or delaying officers, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was placed under a $251,000 bond.

The 15-year-old was taken to Rowan Regional Medical Center for evaluation.

Detectives said the case is still under investigation and additional charges could be filed.

Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246 or nhardin@salisburypost.com.