This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A suspect is in custody in the kidnapping and sexual assault of a developmentally disabled St. George woman, less than three weeks after police turned to social media to post a store security camera image of the man.
St. George Police Capt. Mike Giles said Wednesday that Cherokee Miles Williams, 57, of Hurricane, was arrested Tuesday afternoon.
He was being held at the Washington County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail on 5th District Court charges of first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping, first-degree felony forcible sodomy, and second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse.
In mid-September, police posted information on the assault, the suspect's car, and his image on Facebook. Detectives say that generated numerous tips and leads from the public that led them to Williams' home in Hurricane, and his subsequent arrest.
On Sept. 16, the 38-year-old victim was abducted from a street near her home in broad daylight, driven to an unspecified area and assaulted. She was then released, walked home and told a relative what had happened. The relative called police.
Police had a search warrant when they confronted Williams, but declined to detail what they found inside the home — other than to indicate the search was followed by the suspect's arrest.
An initial court appearance for Williams has been set for Thursday.
Twitter: @remims