Kidnapping Estranged Wife At Gunpoint Earns Man 20 Years

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A man was sentenced Thursday to 20 years, with the first 11 years in confinement, for forcing his estranged wife out of bed and into the woods at gunpoint while threatening to kill her, according to the Gwinnett District Attorney's Office.

After a three-day trial, Deshawn Mackey was found guilty of felony aggravated assault, aggravated stalking, false imprisonment and kidnapping by Judge R. Timothy Hamil for terrorizing his estranged wife in 2016.

Mackey gained entry using a key that was supposed to be turned over to the Sheriff’s Department pursuant to the protective order, according to the DA's office. His wife woke up to the Mackey in her bedroom with a gun pointed at her. She was able to dial 911 and hide the phone. The 911 dispatcher called the her back repeatedly to check on her well-being. Mackey forced the victim at gunpoint to leave the house and took her into the woods. He repeatedly told her that he would kill her.

(Sign up for Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news in Lawrenceville — or other neighborhoods. Access Patch on the go with our iPhone app or our brand new app for Android phone users.)

Police arrived and set up a perimeter. Mackey's wife was eventually convinced him to let her go and speak with officers. Mackey was apprehended in the wooded area a short time later.

Image via Shutterstock