Union County deputies say they are searching for 44-year-old Christopher Nelson Brown and want the public’s help finding him. According to the sheriff’s office, Brown is wanted on an indictment charging felonious assault, first-degree kidnapping and strangulation.
Brown is described as a white male, about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair. The alert went out yesterday as part of the department’s regular “Wanted Wednesday” series.
What Deputies Posted
According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, a post on the agency’s Facebook page lists Brown as the subject of a warrant on an indictment for felonious assault, kidnapping and strangulation. The post repeats his age and physical description and asks anyone who knows where he is to contact law enforcement.
How To Report Tips
Anyone who sees Brown or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at (937) 645-4110. The agency’s main phone number and other contact details are listed on the Union County Sheriff’s Office website, and deputies are asking callers to reference the July 23 wanted notice when sharing tips.
What The Charges Mean
The offenses named in the notice are felony crimes under Ohio law. Kidnapping is typically charged as a first-degree felony, and felonious assault is generally a second-degree felony. See the Ohio Revised Code on kidnapping and the Ohio Revised Code on felonious assault for the statutory language.
Local criminal-law practitioners note that strangulation has recently been codified as a separate felony offense, with the level of the charge depending on the circumstances and degree of harm. For background on how the strangulation statute works and the potential penalties, see a summary from a Columbus criminal attorney.
Allegations, Not Convictions
The sheriff’s office states that Brown is wanted on a warrant tied to an indictment, which means charges have been filed but he has not been convicted of any crime in this case. Deputies are urging anyone with information to call (937) 645-4110 or contact the sheriff’s office through its public tips line rather than attempting to intervene personally.
