Woman says passing motorist attacked her

By TARA JENNINGSLedger Staff Writertara@gaffneyledger.com

A Blacksburg woman said she was attacked Friday by a man who stopped to ask her for directions.

Detective David Oglesby of the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has charged Fred Smith III, 29, of Shelby, N.C., with 1st-degree assault with intent to commit criminal sexual conduct. Smith remains at the Cherokee County Detention Center after his bond was denied in magistrate court.

The woman told deputies she was at her mailbox on Mt. Valley Road in Blacksburg when a man stopped to ask for directions to Kings Mountain, said Sheriff Bill Blanton.

As she was giving him directions the man approached her, grabbed her, threw her to the ground and threatened to shoot her, police said. He tore off her blouse and hit her in the mouth when she began screaming, according to the press release.

The suspect got back into his vehicle and drove toward North Carolina. The woman ran back to her home and called 9-1-1.

Smith was arrested by a Cleveland County deputy and returned to Cherokee County, police said.