Fayette man charged with kidnapping his girlfriend

A Fayette County man has been arrested on charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault after he choked his girlfriend and struck her in the mouth, according to Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb.

D’Angelo T. Smith, 27, of Bentley Way in north central Fayette County, was charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, battery and interfering with a 911 call, Babb said.

Babb said the Dec. 29 incident occurred as Smith and his girlfriend were in Smith’s vehicle, driving in the Fayetteville, Fayette County and Clayton County areas. It was during that time when the girlfriend said Smith hit her in the mouth, choked her and slammed her head into a window, Babb said, adding that the woman told investigators she tried to call 911 and exit the vehicle during the altercation but was prevented by Smith from doing so.

The two eventually returned to Smith’s home in Fayetteville and the girlfriend exited the vehicle, Babb said.

Sheriff’s investigators were notified of the incident on Dec.30. Babb said the marks on the woman’s body were consistent with the report she filed with investigators.

Babb said Smith was subsequently called in for an interview and, on the basis of the interview and evidence collected, Smith was arrested and taken into custody.