What began as a reported confrontation inside an Upstate South Carolina gym has led to serious felony charges after investigators say a man allegedly prevented another adult man from leaving a locker room, threatened him with violence, and took away his phone.
According to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, 37-year-old Christopher Lathaniel Cunningham has been charged with kidnapping and third-degree assault and battery following an incident in Seneca.
Deputies said the investigation began on July 19 after they responded to a business in the BI-LO Place shopping center. When they arrived, they spoke with the alleged victim, who described what investigators say escalated far beyond a verbal argument.
Authorities allege Cunningham grabbed the victim by the shirt and threatened to physically harm him. Investigators say the encounter became even more serious when Cunningham allegedly prevented the victim from leaving the gym’s locker room.
According to deputies, Cunningham also allegedly took the victim’s cellphone and ordered him not to use it, effectively cutting off his ability to call for help while he was being detained. Those allegations are what resulted in the kidnapping charge, one of the most serious offenses filed in the case.
Unlike many people imagine, a kidnapping charge does not require transporting someone to another location. Under many state laws, including South Carolina’s, unlawfully restraining or confining another person against their will can be enough to support a kidnapping allegation if prosecutors believe the legal elements have been met.
Investigators have not released details about what led to the confrontation or how long the victim was allegedly held inside the locker room.
Cunningham was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center on Friday, July 24. Jail records show he is facing one count of kidnapping and one count of third-degree assault and battery.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation remains ongoing, and additional information could be released as the case moves through the court system. As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Cunningham is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
