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Newly released documents have revealed the identities of the two men being charged with kidnapping and terrorizing a woman that the FBI alleges, was kept locked in a cage, according to Fox News.
Cassidy Rainwater, 33, had not been seen since late July, according to law enforcement. An FBI agent operating near Kansas City, MO reached out to the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office after receiving an anonymous tip in mid September stating that photos of Rainwater being held hostage in a cage were in existence.
A search warrant for James Phelps’ cell phone allegedly revealed 7 photos of Rainwater wearing little clothing while being kept in a cage. The cage was reportedly on land that Phelps owned in Lebanon, MO, a town that is about two hours south of St. Louis.
Timothy Norton was also implicated by the investigators and questioned about the missing woman, according to Kansas City’s Fox 4 News.
Norton claimed to be a trucker that lived in his truck full time, even while in between assignments. Shortly after being questioned on Sept 19, authorities discovered inconsistencies in Norton’s story which brought them back for a follow up interview.
He allegedly revealed in the second interview the details that lead to the discovery of Rainwater, revealing that she was being held in a cage by Phelps. Norton allegedly told authorities that in late July, Phelps asked for assistance in restraining Rainwater at his home in Lebanon, and Norton showed up to help.
Court documents state that Phelps was the last person that Rainwater was in contact with before disappearing. Authorities have not released information about her current location or physical condition.
The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook on Sept 18 that there was “no immediate danger to the public.”
In early Sept, Phelps was interviewed in relation to the disappearance of Rainwater. He verified that he did know her, and had given her a place to temporarily live during the summer. He also claimed that in August, she had been picked up at his house by a car driven by an unknown person in the middle of the night. Phelps told detectives that Rainwater had discussed traveling to Colorado.
Phelps claimed that he had not been in contact with her since that evening.
The investigators noted that they did not locate any of Rainwater’s property at Phelps’ home during their visit, which was described by a detective as appearing to look “stripped”.
Phelps and Norton have since been arrested and charged with Rainwater’s kidnapping, thanks to the anonymous tip.
The two men are both facing a charge of first-degree kidnapping, along with facilitating a felony, inflicting injury and terrorizing.
Norton is representing himself and after being transported to Greene County Jail in Springfield, appeared in court by video conference.
Phelps is being represented by a public defender.
They are scheduled to reappear in court in early October.
