A Smyth County man is being hunted by local law enforcement and the U.S. marshals after authorities accused him of abducting his wife and circling through Southwest Virginia in a Volkswagen, raping and beating her.
Police believe that Jeffrey Brian Medlen, of Chestnut Ridge in Meadowview, Va., is on the run and likely no longer in Virginia.
Washington County Sheriff’s Capt. Jack Davidson said the man’s estranged wife was staying with friends in a trailer in Washington County. About 4 a.m. Sunday, she told police, her husband arrived and beat on the side of the home, damaging the exterior, but no one inside went to the door. Later Sunday, the couple reconciled and the woman agreed to accompany him back to Smyth County.
After attending church together in the Saltville area that evening, the man refused to let her out of his car, said Smyth County Sheriff’s Lt. Robert Whitley.
Police said the couple left Smyth County in a green Volkswagen Passat and drove 15 miles into Tazewell County on back roads, heading toward Tannersville. About 8 p.m., the woman told police, she was raped by the side of the road.
Davidson said the man continued driving back to Washington County and pulled over to refuel at a convenience store at Exit 13 off Interstate 81, where the woman escaped from the car and ran inside. A store clerk contacted authorities.
The woman suffered bruises and a black eye, and told authorities the man hit her several times while driving through Washington County.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has issued two warrants for Medlen’s arrest: one on a charge of simple assault and the other on vandalism, resulting from the 4 a.m. incident at the friend’s trailer.
The Smyth County Sheriff’s Office also issued two warrants for Medlen’s arrest: one on abduction and kidnapping charges, and the other on domestic assault.
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office said one charge of sexual assault is pending.
Law enforcement officers are asking anyone who has information on Medlen’s whereabouts to contact the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 782-4056 or the U.S. Marshals office in Abingdon at (276) 628-9402.
cgalofaro@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2531
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