Ala. Woman Agreed to Give Stranger a Ride. Then He Allegedly Kidnapped Her, Forced Her to ‘Mock’ Marry Him: Police

Mar. 15, 2025

Roy Lee Clowder.Photo:Mobile County Sheriff’s Office

Mobile County Sheriff’s Office

An Alabama man was arrested after he allegedly kidnapped a woman outside a store and held her at gunpoint before forcefully taking her to a church to perform a mock wedding, according to local law enforcement.

The alleged victim was at a convenience store in Mobile, Ala., on Friday, Oct. 11, when 37-year-old Roy Lee Clowder approached her and asked her for a ride, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, according toWKRG,AL.comandNBC 15.

Once she agreed and the two left the store, Clowder allegedly brandished a gun and forced her into the passenger’s seat and began driving, the sheriff’s office said, per the outlets. He allegedly drove around and sexually assaulted her, AL.com and NBC 15 reported, citing the sheriff’s office.

He then allegedly took her to a church and performed a “mock” wedding on the steps outside, the sheriff’s office says, per WKRG, NBC 15 and AL.com.

He allegedly forced her to “marry” him in the “mock” ceremony, NBC 15 and AL.com reported, citing Mobile officials. It wasn’t clear how the alleged “mock” ceremony took place; the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further clarification.

“The victim, in this case, remained calm and was able to communicate her whereabouts to a friend,” Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said, according to WKRG and NBC 15. “Because of this, we were able to assist in locating her and getting her out of a very dangerous situation.”

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Clowder was arrested at his residence after he allegedly released the woman, police say, per WKRG and NBC 15.

Online records for the sheriff’s office show Clowder has been charged with sexual abuse, robbery, kidnapping, resisting arrest and probation violation.

It wasn’t immediately clear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com