Alleged kidnapper arrested

Published 11:05 am Tuesday, January 9, 2018

JACKSON – An arrest was made 48 hours following the alleged kidnapping and assault of a female victim.

Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith reported that 23-year-old Dontayvious Devonte Cotton of Garysburg was arrested Jan. 2 by Halifax County Sheriff’s deputies on an outstanding warrant in Northampton County.

Sheriff Smith said his deputy, R. Horton, obtained the warrants based on his investigation of a crime that occurred on New Year’s Eve. Then, a female victim reported that Cotton had physically assaulted her and stole items.

Cotton was charged on one count of second degree kidnapping, one count of assault inflicting serious injury, and one count of misdemeanor larceny.

As a result of his arrest on the Dec. 31 alleged crimes and several other charges by the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office as the result of a separate and unrelated case, Cotton’s total bond was set at $160,000 secured. He is scheduled to appear in Northampton County District Court on Jan. 18.

“I encourage all of our citizens to call 911 when their lives, or their children, or anyone else life is threatened by others,” stated Sheriff Smith. “We at the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office take domestic violence very serious and we are committed to doing all that we can legally do to protect others.

“I would like to thank Deputy R. Horton for his prompt effort in handling this case and obtaining warrants against Dontayvious Cotton for his actions,” Smith added.

He gave special thanks to Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp and his deputieis for their effort in apprehending Cotton.

“This proves that different agencies working together to help bring a closure and stop to those who commit senseless terrible acts against citizens in Northampton County and surrounding counties,” Smith said.

Cotton is no stranger to local law enforcement officers.

In November of 2012, Cotton was arrested by the Northampton Sheriff’s Office on the charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and common law robbery. That crime occurred on Apple Street in Garysburg.

In June of 2016, Cotton was arrested by the Garysburg Police Department and turned over to the Roanoke Rapids Police on the charges of breaking and entering; larceny after breaking and entering; possession of stolen goods; injury to property; and two counts of obtaining property by false pretense.