Buchanan County jury convicts man of kidnapping girlfriend in rural Brandon

A Columbus Junction man, Thang Ding, has been convicted of torturing his girlfriend while holding her against her will in Brandon, an offense that could lead to life imprisonment. A Buchanan County jury found the 26-year-old guilty on multiple charges, including first-degree kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm, prohibited person in possession of ammunition, and assault. The kidnapping charge alone mandates a life sentence.

Evidence presented in court revealed that Ding had a prior assault conviction involving the same girlfriend in 2022. The recent incident took place in late December 2024, where prosecutors stated that Ding held the victim captive for several days, threatening her with a gun, jabbing her with a screwdriver, hitting her with the firearm, and choking her with a charging cord.

The victim managed to escape her ordeal by slipping a note to a family member, who then alerted the authorities. Responding officers from the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office seized a 9 mm Smith and Wesson pistol, a screwdriver, and a cord from the scene.

Ding's sentencing will take place at a later date, but the severity of the kidnapping charge means he is facing the possibility of life behind bars. As the case unfolds, it underscores the alarming issue of domestic violence and the need for vigilant intervention to protect victims.

This conviction adds to the troubling narrative of violent crimes in the area, with multiple recent incidents drawing attention to community safety and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement.