A Columbia man was arrested yesterday after he allegedly raped and strangled a woman.
The Adair County Sheriff’s Office arrested 31-year-old Malachi C. Webster at around 5:00 yesterday.
According to an arrest report, deputies were called out to the Cane Valley area of Adair County yesterday afternoon. A woman claimed she and Webster got into verbal disagreement. The woman reportedly tried to leave the residence, but the woman told deputies Webster forcefully raped her and then strangled her when she tried to call for help.
The arrest report said the woman was eventually able to escape to a neighbor’s house to call 911. When deputies responded to the scene, Webster reportedly attempted to flee into the woods, but he was eventually located by law enforcement and arrested.
Webster is charged with rape first degree – domestic violence, strangulation first degree – domestic violence, assault fourth degree, unlawful imprisonment, and fleeing or evading police first degree. He was lodged in the Adair County Regional Jail.
The victim was taken to TJ Health Columbia for treatment of injuries.
