According to information contained in a news release issued by DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden, last Thursday (June 13th) at around midnight an adult male was kidnapped by two suspects from the Pisgah area of Jackson County, and taken to a residence located on Moses Drive in Henagar.

After being assaulted and tied up the man was able to escape and managed to make contact with a neighbor who called 9-1-1.

The following day (Friday, June 14th), a search warrant was obtained for the residence, and investigators with the DeKalb and Jackson County sheriff’s offices conducted a search of the premises and located Methamphetamine, Marijuana, a number of prescription medications, and drug paraphernalia.

One suspect, 51 year old Mark Alan Byers from Henagar, was arrested at the scene, charged with Kidnapping, Assault 2nd Degree and with Burglary in Jackson County, due to the crime occurring in Pisgah. Meanwhile, in DeKalb County he faces additional charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (two counts), Possession of Marijuana 1st Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Byers is being held in the Jackson County Detention Center on bond of $100,000.

Over the weekend, a second suspect was arrested in Georgia.  Jerry Clayton Grider age 43 of Ft Payne, was taken into custody, and transported to the Jackson County Detention Center –  where he also faces charges of Kidnapping, Assault 2nd Degree and Burglary. He is likewise being held on a $100,000 bond.

Sheriff Welden says the case remains under investigation by his office.