The case against a man charged with the kidnapping and assault of his wife has been bound over to the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas following preliminary hearings in the Gallipolis Municipal Court on Tuesday.
Matthew L. Rupe, 33, was charged with kidnapping and felony domestic violence for allegedly taking his wife Brittany Rupe to Virginia against her will on June 17, 2013. According to the complaint filed, Brittany Rupe was in the vehicle with Matthew Rupe and her two children when he allegedly pulled off the road and assaulted her by pulling her hair, punching her in the face, bouncing her head off of the steering wheel and grabbing her arms to restrain her. Matthew then allegedly proceeded to drive the victim and the children to his mother’s home in Galax, Virginia. Law enforcement authorities in Galax reportedly assisted Brittany and the children in leaving the residence safely and they returned to Gallia County.
Following the preliminary hearings, the court found substantial credible evidence there was probable cause to believe the crimes were committed by the defendant and bound the case over to the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas to be heard by the Gallia County Grand Jury.
Rupe is currently house in the Gallia County Jail under a $500,000, 10 percent bond.