After deliberating for over an hour, a jury found Gary Anderson-Myers not guilty of kidnapping a woman from a Bellaire apartment complex in the summer.

Closing arguments took place after two days of testimony from local law enforcement and the defendant.

In August 2019, the Belmont County Sheriff’s Office responded to what they believed was an attempted abduction of a woman at the Belle Village apartments in Bellaire.

After searching for hours, the victim was found unharmed, while a manhunt ensued for Anderson-Myers, who was found days later in the basement of a Bellaire home. Defense Attorney Bruce Clark argued that no one was being held against their will. The jury sided with the defense, finding Anderson-Myers not guilty of both kidnapping and aggravated burglary.