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Former SCC student charged with kidnapping SM student

By Lisa Majors-Duff

A former Southwestern Community College student who recently admitted to damaging property at Western Carolina University has been charged with kidnapping a Smoky Mountain High School student.

David Adam Kelly, 19, originally of Cary, was charged with one count each of second-degree kidnapping, statutory sexual offense, taking indecent liberties with a minor, felonious restraint and contributing to the delinquency of a minor by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. He was released from custody after posting a $15,000 bond, which had been reduced from $50,500 by the District Attorney's Office in Sylva, according to Detective Darrin Young.

Kelly and his 15-year-old victim had known each other prior to the incident, which is alleged to have occurred March 22 at the home of a friend in Tuckasegee. Kelly was arrested March 23 at his place of employment, Sapphire Valley Country Club, without incident, Young said.

The girl, a student at Smoky Mountain High, was reported missing after not returning home March 21, said Young.

Kelly told investigators he was forced to quit school recently so he could take a job to pay restitution for damage he caused by firing a rifle from old KA Hill in Cullowhee toward the Ramsey Center on the WCU campus. About $9,500 worth of damage was done to nine plate-glass windows on Dec. 28.

The Sheriff's Department's investigation into the alleged kidnapping is continuing, and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Back to Archive: 03/30/00.