A Carter County man faces multiple charges after police say he fled from officers and held a woman against her will inside his vehicle.

Deputies of the Carter County Sheriff’s Office arrested John Holtsclaw, 21, of 115 West St., Roan Mountain, and charged him with kidnapping, felony evading arrest by motor vehicle, felony reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, and driving on a revoked license. Deputies also issued Holtsclaw citations charging him with speeding, driving an unregistered vehicle, wrong registration displayed, and violation of financial responsibility.

Shortly before 12:30 a.m. on Friday, CCSO Investigator Nick Andes said he was on patrol in Roan Mountain when he saw a white Subaru traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 19E. Andes said his radar showed the vehicle was going 57 mph in a 45 mph zone.

Andes said he turned and tried to perform a traffic stop, but the vehicle turned onto Heaton Hill Road and accelerated up the one-lane road. While on Heaton Hill Road, Andes said the Subaru came upon a vehicle moving at a slow pace.

“The white Subaru then began tailgating the vehicle, almost striking it in the rear several times before the vehicle pulled off into a gravel driveway,” Andes said.

The Subaru then turned off-road at a residence and when the vehicle stopped the driver and a passenger in the rear seat both fled.

“I pursued the driver up a steep embankment for several minutes before K-9 Spike located the suspect hiding behind a tree,” Andes said.

The driver, who was later identified as Holtsclaw, began to resist the officer and during the struggle was accidentally struck in the area of his left eyebrow with the officer’s flashlight according to the report.

After placing Holtsclaw into custody, Andes escorted him back to where his cruiser was parked.

Andes then spoke with a female who had been in the front passenger seat of the Subaru during the incident. The woman told officers she had pleaded with Holtsclaw to stop and let her out but he would not. The woman then provided officers with a written statement about the incident. Officers also obtained a written statement from the driver of the vehicle which Holtsclaw is alleged to have tailgated and nearly struck.

On Friday morning, Holtsclaw appeared in Carter County General Sessions Court for arraignment. Judge Keith Bowers Jr. appointed the Public Defender’s Office to represent Holtsclaw.

Assistant Public Defender Dwayne FortnerAsked the court to reduce Holtsclaw’s bond from $21,500 to $5,000. Bowers asked the State to give their position on a bond reduction.

“Your Honor, it’s a kidnapping, felony reckless endangerment, and felony evading arrest,” said Assistant District Attorney Mark Hill. “I think $5,000 is extremely low.”

During the discussion, the court liaison from Crossroads Probation service informed Bowers that Holtsclaw had been convicted of driving under the influence on April 17 and placed on probation for a term of 11 months and 29 days.

“This April 17?” Bowers asked. “He was put on 11 days ago?”

Bowers ruled Holtsclaw’s bond would remain at $21,500 and also signed an issued a warrant charging Holtsclaw with violation of probation. Bowers set the bond on the violation of probation charge at $2,500.

Bowers scheduled Holtsclaw to return to court on May 23.