A 64-year-old Virginia man allegedly taped his wife to a chair in their basement and left her restrained for up to 45 minutes while he watched football upstairs, according to a criminal complaint.
Terry Ward faces a felony abduction charge and a misdemeanour charge of assault and battery against a family or household member following the alleged incident at the couple's home in Richmond, Virginia.
His wife reportedly told responding officers that Ward had restrained her with tape before going upstairs to watch the game. She estimated that she had remained tied to the chair for between 30 and 45 minutes, with marks and tape residue visible on both arms.
Police responded to a reported domestic disturbance at around 11.30pm. According to the criminal complaint, Ward acknowledged tying his wife to the chair and leaving her in the basement.
Ward was scheduled to appear at Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court on 10 November 2026. He remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Wife's Account of the Incident
Ward was arrested following the domestic disturbance on Sunday, 11 October. Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 2200 block of Maplewood Avenue near Byrd Park in Richmond, where they reportedly found Ward upstairs and his wife in the basement.
The criminal complaint documented the woman's account to police, with her name redacted in the document. An officer recorded her allegation that her husband had restrained her with tape.
"When I arrived on scene, she stated that her husband had tied her to a chair with tape in the basement," an officer wrote in the complaint.
When questioned by police, Ward allegedly acknowledged tying his wife to the chair and placing her in the basement. The complaint records his statement confirming that he had restrained her.
Sources familiar with the incident told Virginia Statewide Incidents that Ward allegedly left his wife downstairs to watch football. Authorities had not confirmed which game he was watching or what led to the confrontation.
Ward Faces Two Charges
Ward faces a felony abduction charge and a misdemeanour assault charge involving a family member. His arraignment and bond hearing were reportedly postponed earlier in the week.
He is scheduled to appear at Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court on 10 November 2026. The charges relate to the alleged restraint of his wife during the domestic incident.
Virginia law generally classifies abduction as a Class 5 felony when a person unlawfully restrains another through force, intimidation, or deception with the intent to deprive them of their liberty.
The case attracted attention on social media after Virginia Statewide Incidents shared details on Facebook. The story subsequently circulated on Instagram and other platforms.
One Facebook commenter wrote, 'Sometimes the price of a little peace and quiet involves a felony charge or 2'.
Some commentators think that Ward did not regret his action towards his wife.
Meanwhile, another commenter relates it to another case, saying, 'Worse yet, a guy in Dallas, TX taped his wife to a chair in front of the TV and forced her to watch the Cowboys play.' As of now, Ward remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
