Kidnapping, Rape Charges Leveled Against Cuyahoga Falls Man

If the allegations are true, Brandon J. Richards is in a world of trouble. 

Suspected Weed Trafficker Arrested After Felony Domestic Violence Dispute

Richards, 23, of Cuyahoga Falls, was charged with kidnapping and rape -- both first-degree felonies -- after detectives examined evidence collected from his Bath Heights Drive residence on Thursday, said Cuyahoga Falls Police Sgt. James Singleton.

The Cuyahoga Falls Narcotics Unit also seized evidence from Richards' State Road storage unit, which led to three additional drug-related charges, said Singleton.

Those charges include: possession of chemical for the manufacture of drugs, a third-degree felony; illegal manufacture of drugs, a fifth-degree felony; and possession of criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony.

The new felony counts came on Thursday evening after police arrested Richards earlier in the day for allegedly threatening his significant other with a handgun and dealing marijuana.

At the time of his arrest, he was charged with trafficking in marijuana, a fifth-degree felony, and domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony.

Cuyahoga Falls police and SWAT team members arrested him at 1:15 a.m. Thursday at his residence in the 3300 block of Bath Heights Drive.

Richards is in custody at Summit County Jail and will be arraigned in Stow Municipal Court on Friday. 

Richards faces seven felony charges in all.