PRESS RELEASE
January 11, 2019

FCSO ARRESTS SUSPECT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE


SUBJECT: Joshua Thomas Rothwell, age 49, of 4835 Fowler Road, Coward, SC 29530 was arrested by Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office on January 10, 2018 and charged with Kidnapping (S.C. Code Ann. 16-03-910) and Domestic Violence, High and Aggravated (S.C. Code Ann. 16-25-065(A)). See FCSO Booking Website for additional information.

NARRATIVE: Specially trained Domestic Violence Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joshua Thomas Rothwell, a suspect in a recent domestic violence incident. According to Investigators, on or about December 1, 2018 on Fowler Road, Coward, SC Rothwell is alleged to have had a verbal and physical altercation with a domestic partner. When the victim attempted to leave the location, Rothwell is alleged to have grabbed and struck the victim in the face with a baseball bat several times and caused the victim to black out by strangulation. Investigators further allege that Rothwell disabled the victim’s cell phone to prevent a call for help and refused to allow the victim to leave or seek medical attention for several days. The victim was ultimately able to leave the residence and contacted law enforcement. Following an investigation into the allegations, Investigators obtained arrest warrants for Rothwell for Kidnapping and Domestic Violence, High and Aggravated.

Rothwell is being held at the Florence County Detention Center. Bond has been denied. Under South Carolina law, Kidnapping is a felony and upon conviction is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Domestic Violence, High and Aggravated is also a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

END
Major Michael M. Nunn
General Counsel/P.I.O.