NEWPORT — A Newport man is facing multiple felony domestic violence charges after police say he held a woman hostage in an abandoned building and repeatedly assaulted her.
Ryan John, 33, pleaded not guilty to seven felony charges including aggravated domestic assault and unlawful restraint. As a habitual offender, John could face life in prison if convicted.
The case began September 5 when Newport City Patrolman Andrew Gonyaw spotted a woman walking on Main Street around 7:20 p.m., crying hysterically with a red face, according to court documents.
The next day, Gonyaw discovered an open door at an abandoned Coventry Street building where John had been staying. A witness told police John was holding the woman hostage there and had given her a black eye.
After several encounters over multiple days, the woman finally spoke with police on September 15. She told Gonyaw that John had threatened to kill her if charged with domestic assault again, referencing previous prison time.
According to the affidavit, the woman said John became violent after his April jail release, hitting her and causing two black eyes and a bloody nose. She reported being pushed down multiple times and said John had previously thrown a camper door at her and punched her hard enough to bruise ribs.
The woman told police she feared reporting the abuse because John had access to her social media and had threatened suicide if she left him. She expressed doubt that police could adequately protect her from retaliation.
John faces charges of first-degree aggravated domestic assault, second-degree aggravated domestic assault by a repeat offender, and unlawful restraint with risk of injury.
