A federal jury has found a Memphis man guilty of stalking, kidnapping, and physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend in north Mississippi.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Omar Charleston, 39, traveled to Southaven in search of his ex-girlfriend on Jan. 5, 2024. The subject located the victim at an area hotel and is reported to have forced her into her vehicle by hitting, pushing, and threatening her.
Charleston is said to have forced the victim to drive across state lines into Memphis. He was arrested in Tennessee after “struggling with law enforcement.” Law enforcement authorities charged Charleston with kidnapping, interstate domestic violence, and stalking.
The FBI, in partnership with the Memphis and Southaven Police Departments, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip Levy and Robert Mims prosecuted the case.
“Mr. Charleston’s victim endured unimaginable trauma that will remain with her forever. Charleston violently took the victim from a place of safety against her will, demonstrating a complete disregard for human life and the law,” Special Agent Robert Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office said.
“The FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement and community partners to ensure violent offenders who are a threat to the community, such as Charleston, are held accountable for such horrific crimes and brought to justice. The FBI applauds the Memphis Police Department and the Southaven Police Department for their collaboration on this matter.”
The suspect was indicted on the charges last September and was convicted by a federal jury on Tuesday. Charleston’s sentencing is set for Oct. 27 in Oxford. He faces up to life in prison for the federal kidnapping charge. The victim’s name has not been released.
